Past Work
Cornerstone engaged in a series of plays exploring the question: How does faith unite and divide us? During this series of residencies, the company collaborated with communities of faith throughout Los Angeles. Some of the projects engaged people who share a religion, others were interfaith projects, some included a single congregation, and still others invited those who are not active participants in organized religion to reflect on the meaning of faith.
THE FESTIVAL OF FAITH: 21 THEATRICAL OFFERINGS, 2001
A 5-week, citywide festival, featuring 21 faith-based projects, launched Cornerstone’s residency with communities of faith. The festival was presented at 5 diverse houses of worship. Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple, Hacienda Heights; The Los Angeles Baha’i Center, Baldwin Hills; Faith United Methodist community Church, South Central Los Angeles; Temple Emanuel, Beverly Hills; New Horizon Islamic School, Pasadena.
ZONES, OR WHERE DOES YOUR SOUL LIVE AND IS THERE
SUFFICIENT PARKING?, 2001
Written by Peter Howard
Directed by Bill Rauch
Toured to multiple, mostly faith-based locations.
Part play, part community conversation, this participatory theater experience invited audiences to share their thoughts and experiences as the action unfolded around them.
CROSSINGS, JOURNEYS OF CATHOLIC IMMIGRANTS, 2002
Written by Alison Carey, Peter Howard, Shishir Kurup, Page Leong, Armando Molina, Evangeline Ordaz, Bernardo Solano, and Bernard White
Directed by Steve Kent.
Performed at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.
Old and New Testament stories were adapted to explore the journeys of 5 diverse Los Angeles parishes.
BODY OF FAITH, 2003
Written by Luis Alfaro
Directed by Christopher Liam Moore
Co-presented by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and performed at their Renberg Theater in Hollywood.
A production that focused on the Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Community’s complex and dynamic relationship to faith and identity.
ORDER MY STEPS: BLACK AIDS/BLACK FAITH, 2003
Written by Tracey Scott Wilson
Directed by Paris Barclay and Mark Valdez
Presented at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) in Watts.
Phil Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute inspired this project with his passion for finding creative ways to reach African American clergy, provoking reflection on the effects of HIV/AIDS on their communities.
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU: AN AMERICAN MUSLIM REMIX, 2003
Adapted by Peter Howard
Directed by Mark Valdez
An American Muslim remix of the classic comedy, adapted to explore individualism, politics, family and love in the community, centering on the lives of a high-spirited family.
CENTER OF THE STAR: A JEWISH WALKING TOUR OF LOS ANGELES, 2004
Written by Yehuda Hyman
Directed by Tracy Young
Produced in collaboration with Greenway Arts Alliance
Performed at The Greenway Court Theater in the Fairfax District.
A dramatic journey with music and dance that celebrated and explored the lives of the Los Angeles Jewish community in their search for light.
AS VISHNU DREAMS, 2004
Written by Shishir Kurup
Directed by Juliette Carrillo.
A co-production with East West Players
Performed at the David Henry Hwang Theater
Rousing adaptation of The Ramayana, created in collaboration with the Hindu community, which fused the ancient text with contemporary themes to explore the symbiosis of good and evil and the power of mythology.
BRIDGE SHOW, 2005
A LONG BRIDGE OVER DEEP WATERS
Written By James Still
Directed by Bill Rauch
Performed at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.
This sprawling, panoramic epic staged an interlocking chain of unexpected encounters between 10 communities of faith and featured 57 professional and community artists. Inspired by the religious history of Los Angeles, hundreds of faith-cycle participants and Schnitzler’s classic play La Ronde, it traced a joyous, painful, surprising and restless circle through our wide-open spiritual landscape in the City of Angels.
