PLAYHOUSE: What We Do
The theatre company aims to produce musicals and employ a truly "All-American" cast. We are color conscious. Our purpose is to raise the visibility of the underrepresented communities of San Diego and bring theatre physically closer to the people with less access to the performing arts. We strongly believe that more female artists should be in prominent positions in the arts: directing, writing, choreographing, music directing, lighting, costume, scenic and sound design. Theatre belongs to all genders, races, differing abilities and sexual orientations.
History
First Theatre Council meeting takes place June 11, 2020. Those in attendance: Julio Catano, Kevin Burroughs, Erin Vanderhyde, Chris Bona and
Ryan Burtanog. Kevin Burroughs and Erin Vanderhyde direct and arrange a rendition of “Light” from Next To Normal. The Theatre Council successfully assemble a cast for the company’s first marketing campaign. Participating in Teatro San Diego’s first project are prominent San Diego actors:
Cameron Del Rosario, Eboni Muse, Erin Vanderhyde, Hannah Balagot, Kaitlyn Taylor, Mikaela Celeste, Reanne Acasio, Salima Gangani, Tanika Baptiste, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs, Andrew Paiva, Nico DeJesus, Leonard Patton, Gerardo Flores Tonella, Bryan Barbarin, William BJ Robinson,
Chris Bona, Ryan Burtanog and Julio Catano-Yee. The cover of "Light" premiers on the company's YouTube channel January 1st, 2021.
On February 6th, 2021 for the first fundraising efforts, the company streams its first cabaret A Cabaret Live From Lincoln Center on its YouTube channel and website. Hosted by Julio Catano in various locations in Manhattan, the cabaret stars Nico DeJesus, Reanne Acasio, Mikaela Celeste, Chris Bona, Kevin "Blax" Burroughs, Laura Odette Sandoval, Sarah Marie Hernandez, Leonardo Ebanks and Shelby Beltran. All performers are individually filmed for COVID-19 safety measures. This production wins the 2021 Broadway World Regional Award for Best Streaming Concert/Cabaret.
Auditions commenced in April of 2021 for the company's inaugural virtual production of Songs For A New World. Inaugural cast is announced June 15, 2021. The cast stars Sarah Marie Hernandez, Jordan Hall Campbell, Mya Feiga, Chase Lowary, Jarel Lewis and Annabell Walker. The creative team comprises of Kevin "Blax" Burroughs (Director/Lighting Designer), William "BJ" Robinson (Music Director), Alyssa "Ajay" Junious (Choreographer), Reiko Huffman (Scenic Designer), MaeAnn Ross (Sound Designer) and Pamela M. Stompoly (Costume Designer).
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On August 5th, 2021 Teatro San Diego opens it's first production. A virtual production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World streams from August 5th to 15th with showings at 4pm and 7pm Pacific Time. Vivian Romero replaces Jordan Hall Campbell as "Woman 2/White Privilege".
On January 14, 2022 Teatro San Diego's Songs For A New World is the recepient of multiple Broadway World Regional Awards including, Best Direction of a Stream (Kevin "Blax" Burroughs), Best Editing of a Stream (Christian Ezell) and Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical (Reiko Huffman).
On December 21st and 22nd, 2021 Teatro San Diego performs for its first live audiences at On Stage Playhouse in Chula Vista and the Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. It is called A Musical Winter Wonderland starring Natasha "Tash" Baenisch, Salima Gangani, Alex Lee, Chase Lowary and Tommy Tran. The shows were hosted by Kevin "Blax" Burroughs and music directed by William BJ Robinson. Natasha "Tash" Baenisch would be replaced by Vivian Romero for the December 21st performance and Chris Bona for the December 22nd performance.
