Season

• 2005/2006
• 2004/2005
• 2003/2004

2005/2006 Season

Chrysalis: Rapechild

A world premiere presented by Esther Emery in association with Sledgehammer Theatrer

Opened July 29 (Preview July 28) through August 14, 2005.

On an eternal battlefield, a flower grows. Threads of dance, drama and poetry are woven together to tell a fantastical tale of war, hatred, and a young girl who wants to become a dragon. An infant is found on a battlefield and raised by a scavenger among the dead. In a dream, Rapechild is visited by the ghost of her dead mother, who demands revenge. She falls in love, learns to fight, is betrayed and finally confronts her enemy. Meanwhile, a Warlord teaches soldiers and audience the art of war, while a silly Monkey illuminates a more mysterious path. Audience members are invited to "Follow the Dragon" in an informal procession on the sidewalks of downtown San Diego one half hour prior to each performance. Meet the dragon at the front doors of St. Cecilia's at 7:30pm each performance night.

Bronze World Premiere

A new comedy written and directed by Sledgehammer Associate Artist, Ruff Yeager

Ran from: June 4 through July 3, 2005

“Winning is for losers” or so says Cheryl Chan, an Olympic ice-skater who once held the bronze medal. Now she’s holding the gun. Cheryl and her three hostages in an all-night diner, skate through this dark comedy telling tales of success and failure. Bronze is a new comedy by accomplished director and Sledgehammer Associate Artist Ruff Yeager who most recently wrote and performed the original music for Sledgehammer Theatre’s production of When the World Was Green. “Having Bronze open Sledgehammer’s 20th Anniversary Season is a singular honor,” Yeager says, “as the theatre’s reputation for producing exciting new plays is well known.”

The Frankenstein Project v.2.0 Reinvention

Written and directed by former Artistic Director Kirsten Brandt

Opened: October 29 (pay-what-you-can Previews October 27 & 28) through November 20, 2005.

Originally produced at Sledgehammer as a workshop performance in February of 1999, and subsequently performed at the Network of Ensemble Theatres in San Francisco in 2000, The Frankenstein Project was Kirsten Brandt’s first project as the Resident Director with Sledgehammer, garnering a KPBS Patte Award for “Outstanding Direction.” The Frankenstein Project v.2.0 is a modern re-telling of Mary Shelley’s classic tale set against the backdrop of late-breaking developments in science and medicine. Haunted by the death of her mother from a cocktail of weight-loss pharmaceuticals, PhD candidate Mary Frankenstein (Mary #1) strives to create life and, by doing so, conquer death. The “monstrous” creation that is the result of her work is Mary #2, a woman who is plagued by the memories of the seven prostitutes that make up her body. Mary #3, Mary Shelly, floats in and out of her own story as her creations grow beyond her control.

A/Wake

Directed by Founding Artistic Director Scott Feldsher Music by Pea Hicks and Tim Root

The Farewell Performance for St. Cecelia's before it was closed by Seismic regulations Performed December 8-11, 2005

Named one of the Union-Tribune's 10 top theatre events of the year.