#1 is AUDITION/SHOWTIME (https://youtu.be/B5s8MKME4DA and linked videos). A national call for short scripts by BIPOC writers elicited more than 70 submissions. Multiple readers evaluated these and a top 10 were identified. Each of these 10 writers is being awarded a $100 honorarium. In coordination with this process, a city-wide open audition was conducted on Saturday, May 4 at the Southeast Live Well Center, focusing on opportunities and roles for BIPOC characters. Our trio of partner companies (AST, TMM, and SDBET) were joined by representatives from 8 other theaters to review materials gathered, and simple video recordings made of each performer participating. From this (long) day of auditions, a number of the actors were invited back that same evening to read the top 10 scripts. These selected actors were each paid a $50 honorarium for the same-day readings.

#2 is CENSUS & CENSIBILITY. API writers in San Diego met over a month, working with AST’s Director Gingerlily Lowe to generate new Census-related scripts. The best of these were pulled out into a 90-minute program of public, free, lightly staged readings. Presented at 3 different venues (2 in Promise Zone), June 4-11. See the full event PROGRAM, and a short summary wrap-up. Archival video of first public reading is online here.

#3 is THAT DON’T MAKE NO CENSUS. Produced and directed by SDBET (possibly renaming as UMOJA) Artistic Director Rhys Greene, a medley of short AND one longer-format script. Archival video of first public reading is online here.

#4 is KNOCK KNOCK, WHO’S THERE? a short, all-new original musical about census issues in Latino and Native American communities, produced and directed by TMM’s Artistic Director, Bill Virchis. August 29-30-31 at El Salon Theatre in San Ysidro. Archival video of the first public staging is here.

#5 will be a larger, longer stage production titled THE LAST CENSUS. These may include material developed in projects 2, 3, or 4, as well as with writers contacted through the initial open call for writers. This is targeted for first half of 2025, no later than June. This production is currently in production. The rehearsal schedule is posted at the bottom of this page; actors are required, and writers are welcome. Please confirm with Kent or Suanne the day prior as to what will be rehearsed any given day.

#6 is yet to be announced, but tentatively titled THE NEXT CENSUS. Currently evaluating different delivery options, but the general objective is ongoing census-related programs with a mass-media component, online or through some other platform. All talent and material involved in THE LAST CENSUS projects 1-5 will be considered for participating in project #6.