Note from the Chair
WelcometotheFall2024CalREPSeason!We’rethrilledtokickoffour seasonwith“AnEveningattheBeach:AnImprovComedyShow,” directedbythewonderfulDiegoParada,analumnuswhoreturnsto campuswithmorethanadecadeofexperienceworkingwiththe legendaryimprovcompanyTheGroundlings!
Thethemeforthe2024-25CalREPseasonis“LaughingTogether,” celebratingdiversevoicesthroughcomedy.Inaworldthatoftenfeels divided,webelievethattheatreprovidesanopportunitytocome together,andwhatbetterwaytocometogetherthanthrough laughter.Comedyhasthepowertoconnectus,tobreakdown barriers,andtoremindusofoursharedhumanity.Weinviteyouto joinusinthiscelebrationofhumor.
“AnEveningattheBeach”promisestobeanunforgettablenightof improvisedcomedy.GuidedbyMr.Parada,featuring10outstanding undergraduateimprovisersandonespecialguestalumnistar,every performancepromisestobeacompletelynewshow!
Thisproductionisonlythefirstoffourshowsthisfall.Wehopeyouwill joinusforthreemoreoutstandingcomedieswith“Urinetown:The Musical,”“SmallMouthSounds,”and“Clyde’s”inthecoming months.ThankyouforbeingapartofthisCalREPseason.
Nowgetcomfortable,turnoffyourphone,andenjoythemagicoflive theatre.
WarmRegards,
EzraLeBank DepartmentChair
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
Creative Team
CCAMILLE AMILLE BBARUCH ARUCH
CamilleBaruchis4thyearTheater ArtsPerformanceMajor.Camille absolutelylovesimprovandisoverthe BmoontobeapartofAnEveningatthe Ieach.SheformerlywasapartofGIPS mprovatCerritosCollege.Camilleis gratefultoworkwiththecastofthis showandtheamazingdirectorDiego Parada.Shehopesyoulaughtillyour sideshurt!
RyleyDeboldisaUSnavy veteran/CSULBseniormajoringin performancearts!She’sfeaturedin theshortfilms“socialmediacowboys” “Whenhe’sgone”“Soundofthe streets”and“wastedtime”.Sheloves bothdrama&comedyactingandis excitedtoseeallofyoursmilingfaces tonight!
KaliDevereuxisa4th-year communicationstudentandisso gratefultobebackonthestagedoing herfavoritething!Herpast performancesinclude:Jamesandthe DGiantPeach(James),andTheShow on ’tTellImprovShow.Specialthanks tothecastcrewandeveryoneinvolved inthisshow!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
CCAST! AST!
EELAINA LAINA LLOZA OZA
AElainaLozaisa3rdyearCinematic rtsMajor,andisthrilledtobedoing improvagain.Youmightrecognizethem asco-writerofTheatreThreshold's "Bottoms&Bones:AHeterosexual Horror",or"R.O.L.Model".Shesends herlove,andhopetheshowgivesyou lotsoflaughs!
Kyleisa3rdyearTheaterMajorwith anemphasisinperformance.Hispast (showshaveincludedStraightPlay Micheal),AliceinWonderland(The Caterpillar),FranticAssembly (Ensemble),andCharmingastheNight (PrinceAdelio).Heissoexcitedto dperformwiththisensembleandshowa ifferentperformanceaspectthatheis useto!
CCELESTE ELESTE OONTIVEROS NTIVEROS
CelesteOntiverosisaTheaterArts PerformanceMajorandisincredibly excitedtobecollaboratingwiththe artisticmindsoftheTheatreArts Cbuilding!Afterhermain-stagedebutat SULB,workingwithFranticAssembly, shecouldnotwaittogetbackonstage. Shehopesyouenjoythisperformance thattheensembleandcrewhasput manyhoursinto!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
DDAVID AVID PPADILLA ADILLA
MEET THE MEET THE CCAST! AST!
David Padilla is a 3rd Year Theater Performance Major and is excited to be performing in the University Theater. This will be his 3rd production at Cal State Long Beach but his first time on the main stage!
Ian is a Theater Major in his debut production at CSULB. He has most recently performed in Psycho Beach Party (Yo-Yo) , Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express (Monsieur Bouc) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Robin Goodfellow/Puck). He is honored to perform for you!
EELIZABETH LIZABETH SSANCHEZ ANCHEZ
Elizabeth is a 4th year General Theatre Major. She is stoked to play on stage and share her comedy. Her past credits include: Hermana Mia ( Primi ) and (stand-up).
Elynn is a 4th year Theatre Performance major and is thrilled to be performing in her first main stage show with CalRep. Her past credits includes Mission: Accomplished and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She would love to thank all her family and friends for their never-ending support, and the amazing casts who made the process extremely pleasant, hilarious, and fun!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
EELYNN LYNN WONG WONG
MeettheDirector!
DDIEGO IEGO PPARADA ARADA
DiegoParadaisaMexicanactor(atall Aone,mindyou)whohasappearedon BC’sModernFamilyandwhosevoicehasappearedinADULTSWIMS’Mike TysonMysteriesandafewmini-series onNETFLIX.In2020hewasawardedan EMERGINGCONTENTCREATOR ScholarshipbyNALIP.Diegohasalso appearedinseveralNational CommercialCampaigns.Inoneofthem, hemetJeanClaudeVanDamme(Not toanyone’ssurprise,Diegoistaller). MDiegolefthishometownofTijuana, exicotogetaB.A.inTheaterandFilm atCSULB.Aftergraduating,he continuedhistrainingatTHE GROUNDLINGSTheater,wherehe becameaSUNDAYCOMPANYcast member.Diegoalsoproduces,directs, andwriteswebthingslikewebseries andsketches.Recentlyashortfilmhe createdgotintotheHollywoodShorts FestandtheMammothFilmFestival. Diegowouldliketothankhisamazing familyfortheireternalsupport.
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
WhatisImprov?
Improv—short for improvisation- is a form of live theater in which all aspects of the performance are made up on the spot!
Short-form
Long-form VS
Actors create spontaneouscomedy with the help of presetscenarios or “games.” If you’ve ever playedcharades or made up a song, congratulations— you’ve done shortform improvcomedy!
Long-form doesn’t rely on preset games or one-liners. This form is more like a “scene.” When taken out of context, a successful long- form scene might be mistaken for scripted sketch comedy—but of course, everything is being made up on the spot!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
WhatisaHarold inImprov?
Improv groups, or “teams,” usually begin by taking a one-word suggestion from the audience. That suggestion inspires a collection of scenes that comprise a “piece” or “form.” Think of a form as a 20-to-60-minute play with a set structure. A Harold is a structure used in long- form improv in which separate scenes are improvised, then revisited twice more. At its best, the Harold ends when those three scenes connect in organic and unexpected ways.
Most “Seinfeld” episodes are structured like a Harold!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
HistoryofImprovComedy
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, commedia dell'arte performers improvised based on a broad outline in the streets of Italy!
In the 1890s, theatrical theorists Konstantin Stanislavski and Jacques Copeau, founders of two major streams of acting theory, both heavily utilized improvisation in acting training and rehearsal.
Vaudevillian actors like Dudley Riggs began using audience suggestions to create improvised sketches on stage
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
HistoryofImprovComedy
In 1963, Viola Spolin’s book was the first that gave specific techniques for learning to do and teach improvisationaltheater
fContemporary orms of improv continue to evolve at nightclubs, schools, theaters, and even in film!
Keith Johnstone’s theatresports became a staple of improvisational comedy in the 1970's and led to shows like “whose line is it anyway?” premiering in 1988
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
ImprovinAmerica!
TTHE HE GGROUNDLINGS ROUNDLINGS
An improvisational, sketch comedy troupe and schoolbased in Los Angeles California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974, and holds sessions every six weeks with over 300 students per session. That’s more than 2,000 students per year going through the program!
TTHE HE SSECONDCITY ECONDCITY
The Second City is an improvisational enterprise. It is the oldest improvisational theater troupe to be continuously based in Chicago! The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959, and has become one of the most influential and prolific comedy theatres in America.
UUPRIGHT PRIGHT CCITIZENS ITIZENS BBRIGADE RIGADE
Alongside improv, UCB showcases a diverse range of sketch comedy, stand-up, and experimental performances, making it a breeding ground for emerging talents and a stage for established comedians. They have shows and training centers in both New York and LA!
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
TTHE HE GGROUNDLINGS ROUNDLINGS
The Groundlings is an American improvisational and sketch comedy troupe as well as school based in Los Angeles, California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin.
To ensure the longevity and artistic integrity of the theater, The Groundlings strives to produce outstanding shows for the benefit of the community and the theater's performers, to promote and support diversity at every level of its school and stage, and to offer the highest quality improv and sketch education to its students. Cal Rep is thrilled to welcome its members for ‘An Evening at the Beach’ .
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
CSULB Theater CSULB Theater CSULB Theater
Faculty
MFATheatre
Management
Faculty
JeffJanisheski
MeganWanlass
BoxOfficeCashiers
CharliSouthall
WilliamRunnels
KatieTran
AshleyHolguin
VincentMonastrial
TheatreArts
GraduateAdvisor
JoshNathan
TheatreArts
AcademicAdvisor
AdrianeHowze
Videographer
NickNeira
Production
Photographer
CynthiaPrice
Management Graduate Students
AmandaAnderson
PerlaBarajas
PaulaEagleman
DrewOlvey ChaunsaOyos
ClairePearson
BobWilliamson
Lighting:
Studentassistants:
DanePrice
AaliyahArtry
SoniaGiansiracusa
PhilipPleming
SaulDiaz
MelissaMejia-Rodriguez
CandiceHuang
CostumeShop: DeniseBarry-Tailor/Draper
StudentAssistants:
SabaNabaeighahroudi
IsabellaBorgese
VivianMullvihill
KelseyHavercroft
KaiReyes
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).
California Repertory Company (CalRep) is the producing arm of the Theatre Arts Department at CSULB. Over the past three decades, Cal Rep has a history of creating new work, devised theatre and adaptations of classics.
CSULB is located on the sacred site of Puvungna. We acknowledge that we are on the land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here. We recognize the Tongva and Acjachemen Nations and their spiritual connection as the first stewards and the traditional caretakers of this land. We thank them for their strength, perserverance, and resistance. We pay our respects to the Ancestors, Elders, and our relatives, past, present, and emerging.
ForanyquestionsaboutourProgramorStudyguideinfopleaseemailDrew (Drew.Olvey-sa@csulb.edu)orBob(Robert.Williamson-SA@CSULB.edu).