Cornerstone Theater Company

Institute Summer Residency

The Cardinala journey through Flushing, 2018
Written by Cusi Cram
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
A collaboration hosted by and in partnership with Queens College CUNY, this new play tells the story of Sophie on a journey through her neighborhood in search of answers, love, and art. Inspired by stories from Pomonok Houses residents, QC students & staff and all around Flushing, this play featured delightful original music performed live, a cast of 40, and a spectacular shadow puppet portrayal of the urban landscape of Queens. It performed onstage at the Goldstein Theater for an audience over 1000.

See production photos here.

Ghost Town, 2016
Written by Juliette Carrillo
Directed by Rebecca Novick
A collaboration with the community connected to Oakwood Park in the Los Angeles beach town of Venice. Ghost Town, a love story about a woman and her house, explored the neighborhood’s past, present and possible future, and incorporated songs, a chorus of houses and a series of dreams guiding our hero, Zelda. The cast of 44 performed outdoors in the park for an audience of over 1000.

See productions photos here.

Plumas Negras, 2013PlumasNegras_I10-300x199
Written by Juliette Carrillo
Directed by 
Michael John Garcés
A collaboration with the community of Alisal in Salinas, California, Plumas Negras tells the story of three generations of hard-working women as they struggle to forge better lives and stronger bonds. Watch the Promo

Flor, 2012
Written by Will MacAdams
Directed by Mark Valdez
A collaboration with the Kern County town of Arvin, population 19,000. Flor artfully explored Arvin’s rich history of migrants – from the Dust Bowl to the present day – families from contemporary Mexico and 1930s Oklahoma. Performed at Arvin High School. Read student blog

A Man Comes to Fowler, 2011
Written by Julie Marie Myatt
Directed by Laurie Woolery
A collaboration with the Fresno County town of Fowler, population 5400. The cast of 35 included 28 community members alongside 2 Cornerstone actors and 5 Institute students.  Nine other community members assisted with off-stage aspects of the show. Performed at Panzak Park. Read student blog

It’s All Bueno, 2010
Written by Sigrid Gilmer
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
A collaboration with Pacoima, a working class neighborhood in the northeast of Los Angeles. The cast of 54 included 43 local residents and 8 more community members worked backstage. Performed at Project Youth Green Community Garden.
Read student blog * Flickr photo set

Jason in Eureka, 2009
Written by Peter Howard
Directed by Laurie Woolery
A collaboration with the community of Eureka in Humboldt County. The cast of 37 included 30 community members and 14 local residents also served on the technical crew. Performed at Blue Ox Millworks and Historic Park.
Flickr photo set

attraction, 2008
Written by Page Leong
Directed by Michael John Garcés
A collaboration with Cornerstone’s own Traction Avenue neighborhood in the downtown LA Arts District. The cast of 70 included 54 community members plus 4 of their dogs. Performed on the city block outside Cornerstone’s offices.


A Holtville Night’s Dream
, 2007
Adapted by
Alison Carey & Holtville residents
Directed by
Laurie Woolery
A collaboration with the Imperial County town of Holtville, population 5000. The cast of 62 included 52 community members and one local youth served on the backstage crew. Performed at Finley Elementary School Auditorium.


Lethe, 2006

Written by Octavios Solis
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
A collaboration with Seniors & their Caregivers in San Francisco the cast of 45 included 31 community members. Performed at Presentation Theater on the campus of University of San Francisco.

Boda de Luna Nueva: New Moon Wedding, 2005
Written by Peter Howard
Directed by Mark Valdez
An adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding. A collaboration with Westley & Grayson, neighboring unincorporated towns in Stanislaus County with combined population of 2000. The cast of 48 included 35 local residents and 10 community members served on crew. Performed on the basketball courts of the newly opened United Community Center and Park.

Waking Up in Lost Hills: A Central California Rip Van Winkle, 2004
Written by José Cruz González
Directed by Bill Rauch
A collaboration with the community of Lost Hills, an unincorporated Kern County town, pop. 2000. The cast of 44 included 28 local residents. Performed in the old auditorium at Lost Hills School.