The Western Stage’s 2X4 BASH is Back With A One-Two Punch

Presenting two titles with equal parts heart and controversy

 

SALINAS, Calif. – For the past 44 years, students have spent their summers at The Western Stage to build their skills. Whether as an actor, a designer, building sets, or learning to direct, summers are all about taking the next step in one’s artistic endeavors. Enter The 2×4 BASH, Western Stage’s edgier, more provocative counterpart to the Repertory season. In the months of June – August, the Studio Theatre becomes a haven for a group of 18 – 29-year-olds, stepping into artistic roles that are a new frontier, to produce two titles, under the advisement of professionals. Since its inaugural season in 2011, the 2×4 BASH allows the next generation of theatre artists to collaborate, innovate, and educate through provocative contemporary works. The repertoire is meant to challenge artists and audiences alike to approach theatre from new perspectives and invite all to connect their own life experience with the work. 2018’s BASH will include Just Like Us by Karen Zacarías and The Flick by Annie Baker.

Just like Us asks “What makes us American?” Based on Helen Thorpe’s bestselling book, this documentary-style play follows four Latina teenage girls in Denver—two of whom are documented and two who are not—through young adulthood. Their close-knit friendships begin to unravel when immigration status dictates the girls’ opportunities, or lack thereof. When a political firestorm arises, each girl’s future becomes increasingly complicated. Just Like Us poses difficult, yet essential questions about what makes us American. Performances will be held July 13, 14, 20, 21, and Aug. 10 & 11 in the Studio Theater.

The Flick received the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2013 Obie Award for Playwriting. In a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, three underpaid employees mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35 millimeter film projectors in the state. Their tiny battles and not-so tiny heartbreaks play out in the empty aisles, becoming more gripping than the lackluster, second-run movies on screen. With keen insight and a finely-tuned comic eye, The Flick is a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world. Performances will be held July 27, 28,  Aug. 3, 4, 17, & 18 in the Studio Theatre.

With the exception of two professional directors, the actors, designers, and stage managers for the 2X4 BASH are all comprised of Hartnell students between the ages of 18 and 29 who will be given reign of The Western Stage’s resources and facilities and the mentorship of TWS professionals to produce the 2018 season of theatre on the edge.

 

Just Like Us Production Team and Cast:

Director – Nina Capriola

Scenic and Projections Design – James Marshall and Ernesto Martinez

Lighting Design – Gabriel Alvizo

Sound Design – Micah Harrigan

Costume Design – Jonathan Perez

Props Design – Sierra Papazian

Stage Manager – Micaela David

The Flick Production Team and Cast:

Director – Mark Englehorn

Scenic Design – Dylan Latham

Lighting Design – Micah Harrigan

Sound Design – Gabe Alvizo

Costume Design – Jessica Crocker

Props Design – Arturo Martinez

Stage Manager – Camille Dilleshaw

The Western Stage’s 2×4 BASH allows the next generation of theatre artists to collaborate, innovate, and educate through provocative contemporary works. The repertoire is meant to challenge artists and audiences alike to approach theatre from new perspectives and invite all to connect their own life experience with the work. 2018’s BASH will include Just Like Us by Karen Zacarías and The Flick by Annie Baker.

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

 Just Like Us performs July 13, 14, 20, 21, and Aug. 10 & 11.

The Flick performs July 27, 28, Aug. 3, 4, 17, & 18.

WHERE: The Western Stage Studio Theater, Hartnell College, Building K, 411 Central Ave., Salinas.

TICKETS AND INFO: Ticket sales online or at the door. Admission is $10 general adult admission. Hartnell students are free with ID.  Other students with ID, veterans, and seniors over 60 years old $5. For tickets and information, visit http://www.westernstage.com/tickets or call 831-755-6816.