Five photographs previously taken by local photographers have inspired five stories written by local playwrights. In addition, five different stories written by local playwrights have inspired five new photographs taken by local photographers. All are brought to life in ten 10-minute plays as The Tabard Theatre Company continues its 2014-2015 season themed “It’s All About Perspective!” October 10 through 25, with an exhilarating New Works production titled 10 IN 10 PERSPECTIVE!
Local photographers Tasi Alabastro, Judy Bingman, Kymberli Brady, Alex Greenwood, Edmond Kwong, Jeffrey Lo, Hector Lopez, Ross Nelson, and Irene Trapp combine creative forces with local playwrights Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, H. G. Clarkson, Anne Dimock, Susannah Greenwood, Jeffrey Lo, Andrew Marshall, Tom McEnery, and Ross Nelson, to offer up ten very unique story “perspectives.”
Each of these “perspectives” is further enhanced by the unique vision of each local director and translated by the Bay Area-based cast of each 10-minute play.
“This is an extremely exciting project,” says Tabard Producing Artistic Director, Cathy Spielberger Cassetta. “We’re all very familiar with the creative technological talent here in Silicon Valley. But to mount an innovative New Works production from the ground up speaks volumes about the creative artistic talent that also thrives here in the region.”
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation agrees and has given a grant to Tabard “to support innovative theater in San Jose with 10 IN 10.”
Former San Jose mayor, Tom McEnery, is among the playwrights. His story, Swift Justice, is based on a now-infamous lynching in St. James Park in 1933. Contemporary local photographer, Hector Lopez, has been commissioned to create a new photo that blends original images with a present-day image of the Park.
Further examples of collaborations include playwright Anne Dimock, who also used one of Lopez’s photos as her inspiration for Lullaby for Grownups. She found the photo through a Museum of Los Gatos art exhibit featuring work by Santa Clara County high school students. Lopez graduated in June from Los Altos High School.
Additionally, the father-daughter team of Alex Greenwood (photographer) and Susannah Greenwood (playwright) are collaborating on Day After Day. And playwright Jeffrey Lo, who just recently received the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, teams with photographer Tasi Alabastro on Departing, Finally.
For every production, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to a local nonprofit that is in some way related to the theme of the show. Given the premise of this production and Tabard’s season theme of “Perspective,” the designated non-profit for 10 IN 10 PERSPECTIVE! is the Museum of Los Gatos for the work they do in presenting a program of art exhibits by Santa Clara County high school students.
10 IN 10 PERSPECTIVE! will run October 10 (10/10, appropriately) through 25, at the intimate Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 North San Pedro Street, in downtown San Jose. All evening performances are at 8pm; Saturday matinees at 3pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special Tuesdayevening performance on October 14th at 7:30 – all tickets are $10 each.
Tickets are available at www.tabardtheatre.org, or by calling 408-679-2330. Cabaret Seating $38; Adults $32; Seniors $30; Students and Full-time Adult Students $15. Advance purchase is strongly recommended.
