‘Stories High XXIV’ to showcase emerging Fil-Am artists

CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO – “Stories High XXIV,” Bindlestiff Studio’s 24th annual page-to-stage production, premiered on Sept. 12 and will run until Sept. 28 at 185 6^th Street in San Francisco.

Launched in 1989, Bindlestiff Studio is the only permanent, community-based performing arts venue in the nation dedicated to showcasing emerging Filipino American artists.

It provides the often underserved Filipino American community access to diverse offerings in theatrical productions and music and film festivals. The studio offers workshops in directing, production, acting, stand-up comedy and writing, and a children and youth theater program.

This year’s production features six new works submitted by writing workshop participants from all over the Bay Area, who came together weekly to learn from theater facilitators Christina Ying, Li-Leng Au and Michelle Talgarow.

“Stories High will showcase a mixture of plays spanning WWII thespians, AI, pigeons to vampires. Each play is a unique perspective on the human experience told through a Pilipinx lens,” organizers said in a press release.

Works to be performed include:

“Finding Time” by Allen Mark Aranas, directed by Clarisse Bautista and Tracy Keith Legacion

Ann joins a young Raphael on a shopping trip for pandesal ingredients in hopes to write stories based on his past. But as the scenes shift and memory gets fickle, reality starts to set in, crooning about the preciousness of time spent together in both the past and present.

Starring: Jordan Idolyantes Guingao, Lyian David Soria, Angeli Goff, Alex Arguelles and Lisa Domingo

“Give Them the Bird”  by Dom Refuerzo, directed by Joyce Yin and Colin Skerritt

On a summer afternoon in the park, Cameron tries to clear the air with Andy. At the same time, Robin and Jay rain on their parade with a hilariously irreverent prank. Witness the heartfelt absurdity as shit hits the fan (in more ways than one)!”

Starring: Delaney Bantillo, Mayo Arbues, Nikki Nutterfield and Carlie Algas

“The Assistant” by Frank Bella Chavez, directed by Dom Refuerzo & Seul Ki

In the not too distant future… Francesca, a struggling writer, purchases an AI assistant, Alyssa, to help edit their online content so they can focus on their latest play. However, Alyssa is more than what she seems and soon wants a writing career of her own.

Starring:  Nikki Nutterfield, Oliver Wijayapala, Seul Ki, Gina White, Zolboo Namkhaidorj and Ray Dequina

“Ask Auntie Aurelia Anything” by Amy L. Pabalan, directed by René Ly and Lindsay Ordesta

A podcaster and her younger sisters clash over “controversial” content in “Ask Auntie Aurelia Anything.”

Starring: Angeli Goff, Tracy Keith Legacion, Vanessa Fitzpatrick, Angela Busgano, Mayo Arbues, Sampaguita Resas, Sampaguita Resas, Oliver Wijayapala and Angela Busgano

“Steal My Sunshine by Manny Cabrera, Jr., directed by Frank Bella Chavez & Chi Wan Lee

A sunrise sheds new light on a day. Well maybe what Sam wants to say to Paolo will shed a new dynamic to their budding relationship.

Starring: Kyle “Kal” Melgarejo, Tracy Keith Legacion and Vanessa Fitzpatrick

Produced by: Aureen Almario, Joseph Cascasan, Lee Chiwan, Carla Fajardo, Kyle “Kal” Melgarejo, Lindsay Ordesta, Joyce Yin and Rae Yuen

The short play festival is sponsored by the Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA) and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Tickets and more information are available here.