Past Work
Cornerstone’s Institute Summer Residency is a four-week production experience that includes adults interested in learning our methodology into an on-site community collaboration.
Waking Up in Lost Hills: A Central California Rip Van Winkle, 2004
Written by José Cruz González
Directed by Bill Ranch
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.
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 also served on the backstage crew. Performed on the basketball courts of the newly opened United Community Center and Park.
Lethe, 2006
Written by Octavio 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.
A Holtville Night’s Dream, 2007
Adapted by Alison Carey and the people of Holtville, California
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.
attraction, 2008
Written by Page Leong
Directed by Michael John Garcés
A collaboration with Cornerstone’s own Traction Avenue neighborhood in the downtown Los Angeles Arts District. The cast of 70 included 54 community members plus 4 of their dogs. One community member worked backstage, too. Performed on the 700 block of Traction Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
Jason in Eureka: an epic adventure in search of golden fleece and other local treasures, 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.
It’s All Bueno, 2010
Written by Sigrid Gilmer
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
A collaboration with Pacoima, a working class neighborhood in the northeast cornerstone of the city 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.
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 .
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.
Plumas Negras, 2013
Written by Juliette Carrillo
Directed by Michael John Garcés
A collaboration with the community of Alisal in East Salinas, California, Plumas Negras tells the story of three generations of hard-working women as they struggle to forge better lives and stronger bonds.
Ghost Town, 2016
Written by Juliette Carrillo
Directed by Rebecca Novick
A collaboration with the community of Oakwood Park in Venice, California, Ghost Town dives into the issues of gentrification and the housing crisis in Venice through its past, present and future.
The Cardinal–a journey through Flushing, 2018
Written by Cusi Cram
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
A collaboration with Goldstein Theatre at Queens College in Flushing, New York; continued project development, community engagement, creation and performance of both Native Nation in Phoenix, AZ and A Jordan Downs Illumination in Watts.
