A Sketch-Comedy Play

Directed by Nikki Meñez

Written by Colin H. Johnson, Marc Abrigo, Tirumari Jothi, Melissa Morrell, Rebecca Pierce and Edna Mira Raia

April 12, 13. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, & 27 7PM

Eclectic Box 446 Valencia, SF

$25 Online Advance, $30 GA at-the-door

“Take that, secondary education!”

Awesome Theatre, in Association with Eclectic Box proudly presents, AWESOME HIGH, a sketch comedy play and a loving tribute to the coming-of-age teenage content which has saturated the culture since time immemorial. We will leave no stereotype unturned as we pastiche the unique and colorful world of the dated and outrageous high school drama.

Awesome High is a laugh-out-loud throwback to those teenage years we’d all love to forget, but at the same time can’t get enough of. No cliché is off limits, we hold every typical high school trope in high esteem by kicking a trench into those coming-of-age stories we all know and love. A who’s-who of Bay Area talent set out to generate a sketch comedy play set within a shared world, complete with characters, jokes, and story arcs. The show will veer seamlessly between live and pre-recorded content, careening us through the last day of school punctuated by the biggest night of the year, Promcoming.

“The kids are not alright.”

Featuring: Eriette Atanante, Andrew Chung, Lauren DePass, Laura Domingo, Missa Perron and Casey Spiegel

Production Staff: Erica Andracchio, Natalie Ashodian, Colin H. Johnson, Kenna M. Lindsay, Margaret Linn, Nikki Meñez, Anthony R. Miller, Kelli Westad, and Stephanie Whigham

We are excited AF to announce our 2024 lineup of weird, world-premiere plays written by local artists. This year features AWESOME HIGH, a sketch comedy-play that pays homage to your favorite teen dramas, TERROR-RAMA V: The Last Final Chapter with two last final tales of terror, and a completely bizarre holiday special. The best part is that it all happens at The Eclectic Box in SF’s Mission District!

Awesome High
Directed by Nikki Meñez
April 12-27

From 90210, to Dawson, to Riverdale, and wherever else; your favorite teen dramas and characters come to life in this sketch comedy-play that pays homage to the stories of young people as told by… er … somewhat…older people.

---

Por La Noche (By Night)
Written by J. Elliot Mendez
Directed by Colin Johnson
October 11-26

TERROR-RAMA returns this October with TERROR-RAMA V: The Last Final Chapter. The first of our final tales of terror is the story of Carolina, the only witness to a gruesome murder. Now, she finds herself caught between border patrol officer Mann and a mysterious darkness on the edge of town.

---

Karen Vs. Hell
Written by Anthony R. Miller
Directed by Colin Johnson
October 11-26

TERROR-RAMA returns this October with TERROR-RAMA V: The Last Final Chapter. The second last final tale is about a woman named Kara (Don’t call her Karen), who is dead. It is up to Processing Agent named Trevor to make sure she goes to the right hell. She goes on a journey through her past and the afterlife while confronting demons both personal and like, actual demons.

---

The Awesome Theatre Holiday Special
Written By TBA
Directed by TBA
Dec 13 & 14

Two former Theatre Producers start an Air BnB at a not-at-all haunted cabin in the woods for the sole purpose of facilitating holiday specials. Hilarity ensures. The perfect show for anyone with a complicated relationship with the holidays. Spoiler: You will lose Whamageddon.

---

Help us make it happen!

Awesome Theatre is a volunteer-run 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to producing weird, world-premiere plays written by local artists that no one else in their right mind would make. Awesome Theatre strives to create a theatrical experience that is fun, inviting, and unpretentious. Because theatre is fun.

We are raising $20,000 to make our 2024 lineup happen. If you want to help us pull off this mighty feat, make a tax-deductible donation today! Free t-shirts are involved.

Hosted by Nikki Meñez
Sick Beats by DJ MC

Saturday, December 9, 7 PM
The Firehouse at Fort Mason
2 Marina Blvd. SF

$35 (Includes food drink and a show!)

“The Gala Continues”

Join Awesome Theatre for the least fancy fundraiser ever. Be there for a night of entertainment, good times, and whatever food and booze we get donated. Help us raise money to continue putting on weird shows and paying artists in 2024. All the while celebrating 9 years of new plays, by local artists, that celebrate everything wonderfully weird about the Bay Area. Your ticket includes food, drink, entertainment, a free tote bag, and a warm fuzzy feeling for supporting local theatre. Hosted by Nikki Meñez, live and loud punk rock provided by the Creepy Crawlies, and featuring Stand-Up Comedy by Becky Lynn, Burlesque by Snatch Adams, and Poetry by Joshua Merchant.

A New Play by Eteya Trinidad

Directed by Nikki Meñez

September 29 & 30, October 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14

Phoenix Theatre
414 Mason Suite 601
San Francisco

$25 Online Advance, $30 At-the Door

“Cold-blooded b*tches need love, too.“

Clarissa and Tilly can’t help that they’re bloodthirsty sluts that turn into lizards. At least they have the city coven for sisterly support when the dating scene is rough, even though they’re running out of eligible roommates. But when a newbie joins the apartment and Tilly gets overly attached to her dinner, the head coven leader starts breathing down the two women’s necks… er, dewlaps. On top of that, Clarissa might want to be more than just gal pals with Tilly. Can Clarissa and Tilly make it in a lizard-eat-lizard world?

Featuring: Sidney McNulty, Crystal Liu, Emanuel Morales, Dom Refuerzo, Maeron Yeshiwas, and Samuel Barksdale

Production Team: Erica Andracchio, Chloe Barrs, Nic Candito, Melissa Claire, Colin Johnson, Nikki Meñez, Jacqualynn Metcalf, Matt Owens, Puja Tolton, Eteya Trinidad, Olivia Vazquez and Kelli Westad.

Awesome Theatre is casting for the non-AEA role of SCARLET for our production of LIZARD WOMEN by Eteya Trinidad and directed by Nikki Meñez coming to you live in Fall 2023.

Now accepting Video auditions until July 10 Click HERE to sign up.

“Cold-blooded b*tches need love, too.“

Clarissa and Tilly can’t help that they’re bloodthirsty sluts that turn into lizards. At least they have the city coven for sisterly support when the dating scene is rough, even though they’re running out of eligible roommates. But when a newbie joins the apartment and Tilly gets overly attached to her dinner, the head coven leader starts breathing down the two women’s necks… er, dewlaps. On top of that, Clarissa might want to be more than just gal pals with Tilly. Can Clarissa and Tilly make it in a lizard-eat-lizard world?

SCARLET (she/her), 30s to early 40s, a queer femme of color, drag performers encouraged to apply. The longtime head of the Lizard Women SF City coven. Elegant and self-assured, Scarlet naturally reeks of power. Sometimes a casual lover of Clarissa, who she’s known for a long time.

Rehearsals August 27 – September 21 in SF.

Tech, Dress, & Performances September 24 – October 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in SF.

Now accepting Video auditions until August 20 Click HERE to sign up.

Please email nikki@awesometheatre.org to submit and if you have any questions.

Details about the production such as the script, production calendar, and character descriptions can be found here.

Callbacks will be in person

*All members of the cast, crew, and audience will be required to be vaccinated & masked when not performing*

Awesome Theatre is dedicated to our mission & tagline of “New. Local. Weird.” which means we prioritize brand new plays that are given a robust script development process and may continue to change until Final Dress/First Performance.

This is a volunteer position with a $600 expense stipend provided. *

*(All positions at Awesome Theatre are volunteer positions. There are no paid regular employees. However, expense stipends for all positions are increased by 25% every year.)

Awesome Theatre is a Volunteer-run 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Arts Organization based in San Francisco, CA. We are dedicated to producing new, relevant, stylized, theatrical, live multimedia entertainment that will not only appeal to theatre audiences but to those who are just as likely to see a stand-up comic, a movie, or a concert as they are a play. We strive to create work that is accessible, creative, unique, and knowing without being pretentious. Theatre is one of the last things we can’t do or experience alone, there always has to be another person in the room. Our goal at Awesome Theatre is to create a lasting and original adventure for every audience member and collaborator, a shared escapade of escapist entertainment.

A New Play by Claire Rice
Directed by Neil Higgins

April 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29 8PM

Bindlestiff Studio
185, 6th St. SF

Hey, don’t write yourself off… yet.

Awesome Theatre is thrilled to work with Bindlestiff Studios to present a hauntingly hilarious new gothic romance / dark comedy by national treasure, Claire Rice.

What would you do if you fell in love with a hot older man and were haunted by the ghost of his past lover all while working a minimum-wage summer job at the mall? Would you let the gothic romance of it all take you down, or would you fight against fate? 

Do you have what it takes to be goth enough to handle the haunting romance, the fiery passion, and the ultimate act of rebellion? Come find out as we challenge fate and explore what happens when we dare to write ourselves off.

Featuring: Janelle Aguirre, Max Seijas, Sidney McNulty, Alex Trono, and Nikki Nutterfield

Artistic Staff: Natalie Ashodian, Erica Andracchio, Neil Higgins, Colin Johnson, Kenna Lindsay, Nikki Meñez, Anthony R. Miller, Matt Owens, Dave Ragaza, Claire Rice, Puja Tolton, Olivia Vazquez, and Kelli Westad.

---

---

We are looking for designers and stage managers to join the Awesome Team!

Do you have any interest in set, props, costume, sound, video, or lighting design, or being a stage manager or assistant stage manager? Are you bored of the pompous, fancy-pants theatre scene? Or are you just not sure where to get your start? We welcome team members at all experience levels. Awesome Theatre is a volunteer-run non-profit arts organization that is dedicated to providing a space for bay-area artists to exercise their creative funny-bones and enjoy themselves. 

While we are a volunteer-run organization, all artists are given an expense and travel stipend.

Introduce yourself and ask us some questions at nikki@awesometheatre.or info@awesometheatre.org

Thursday, March 2, 8 PM

Pianofight
144 Taylor, SF

Awesome Theatre is saying goodbye to PianoFight with two premiere film screenings in one night. (Yes, we make movies too.) Don’t miss this extraordinary double feature of short films guaranteed to capture your imagination, delight you, and perplex you. One film is a bizarre new story created by the mad genius Christopher Magee. The other is a project that was made in the doldrums of the COVID lockdown and will now get its first public screening.

We’re Sorry For Making This

A Short Film Witten By Christopher Magee
Directed by Jess Thomas

“Digby, a performer, pilot, perhaps a used car salesman, wants to share their world with you… but are you ready?”

From the mind of Christopher Magee comes a tale of manic wonder. Our host Digby guides you through their world of talking rooms, murderous cameras, and avant-garde cinema. Will she be able to share her opus with the world, or will ethereal absurdity swallow her whole? Seriously though, this is quite possibly the weirdest thing we’ve done.

Featuring: Anna Kritikos, Mary Ann Rodgers. Renee Rogoff, Kyle McCurdy, and Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy

I Broke the Looking Glass

A Short Film Written by Puja Tolton
Directed by Phil Wong  

Eddy is on an epic quest… to get her shit together

This film was originally made in late 2020 in the middle of the COVID lockdown. It originally premiered on YouTube and will now receive its first in-person screening! Times are strange and Eddy is cracking up. She’s lost her job, her housemate is mad at her, and long-avoided family issues have peaked their ugly head. After one bad day leads to an overdue breakdown, Eddy falls into a fantasy realm that looks suspiciously like our own. Will her quest through this fantastic world help her face her fears and go to therapy? Or will she give up and become the Dark Lord’s social media manager? Featuring catcalling dragons, wise goblins, hip half-orcs, and licensed therapists (who also happen to be elves). Written by Awesome theatre’s 2020 artist-in-residence, “I Broke the Looking Glass” is a funny and sincere love letter to Oakland, Nerd Culture, and Self Care. 

---

Awesome Theatre proudly presents its 2023 lineup of new work, by local artists, that celebrate everything wonderfully weird in the world. This year, we’re presenting two mainstage plays packed with murder, mayhem and 4th wall breaking arson. Not to mention the premiere of our latest and weirdest film project, and a sneak peek at the final installment of TERROR-RAMA.

---

We’re Sorry For Making This

A Short Film Witten By Christopher McGee
Directed by Jess Thomas

Premiere Screening February 2023

“Digby, a performer, pilot, perhaps a used car salesman, wants to share their world with you… but are you ready?”

From the mind of Christopher Magee comes a tale of manic wonder. Our host Digby guides you through their world of talking rooms, murderous cameras, and avant garde cinema. Will she be able to share her opus with the world, or will ethereal absurdity swallow her whole? Seriously though, this is quite possibly the weirdest thing we’ve done.

---

Are You Goth Enough To Be Haunted, Fall In Love With The Wrong Guy, Get Revenge And Burn Down The Mall?

Written By Claire Rice
Directed by Neil Higgins

Fri/Sat 7 PM April 14-29 2023

“Hey, don’t write yourself off…yet.”

What would you do if you fell in love with a hot older man and were haunted by the ghost of his past lover all while working at a minimum-wage summer job at the mall? Would you let the gothic romance of it all take you down, or would you fight against fate? Burn baby burn.

---

Lizard Women

Written by Eteya Trinidad
Directed by Nikki Meñez

September / October 2023

“Cold-blooded b*tches need love, too.“

Clarissa and Tilly can’t help that they’re bloodthirsty sluts that turn into lizards. At least they have the city coven for sisterly support when the dating scene is rough, even though they’re running out of eligible roommates. But when a newbie joins the apartment and Tilly gets overly attached to her dinner, the head coven leader starts breathing down the two women’s necks… er, dewlaps. On top of that, Clarissa might want to be more than just gal pals with Tilly. Can Clarissa and Tilly make it in a lizard-eat-lizard world?

---

TERROR-RAMA V: THE FINAL LAST CHAPTER, The reading!

October 2023

The Horror-Theatre Double Feature as we know it will take its last ride in 2024. But first, be there for the first public reading of the two plays that will finish out the TERROR-RAMA series.

---

Wanna help us make it happen?

Awesome Theatre is a Volunteer-run 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Arts Organization, so your gift is totally tax deductible. And there are some pretty cool perks.

Support weird theatre.

A One-Woman Cabaret
Written and Performed by Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy

December 2 & 3 7 PM

PianoFight, 144 Taylor, SF

“You’re on the VIP list, but will you make it to the party on time?”

Every year, Awesome Theatre works with one local artist all year to develop a theatrical creation all their own. This year we are thrilled to present “It’s My Party” by Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy.

Spend an evening with Nora as she takes you on an entertaining journey of her own self-discovery, exploring topics ranging from ADHD to imposter syndrome, to the patriarchy and more, all while she dolls herself up for a bangin’ party at PianoFight — to which you’re totally invited. Be our guest and get our tickets to “It’s My Party” today.