Padua Playwrights


Padua Playwrights Productions, or Padua, is a Los Angeles-based theater company founded in 1978 by playwright and poet Murray Mednick. The site-specific Workshop/Festival ceased operation in 1995 and reemerged in 2001 under the artistic direction of Guy Zimmerman.

Padua Hills Playwrights' Workshop/Festival

In 1978, Mednick received funding from La Verne University to found the Padua Hills Playwrights' Workshop at the crumbling Padua Hills estate in the San Gabriel foothills. He and five other playwrights, among them Theatre Genesis colleagues Sam Shepard and Maria Irene Fornes, met with nine writing students and established a pattern of exercises, rehearsals, and informal presentations, most of them site-specific, since the estate had plenty of outdoor spaces but no theatre to work in. Between 1984 and 1995 Padua moved around Southern California, hosting festivals at Cal Arts, Pacific Design Center, Cal State Northridge, Woodbury College and USC. Many prominent playwrights and actors participated in the Workshop/Festival, some very early in their careers, including John Steppling, John O'Keefe, Jon Robin Baitz and Kelly Stuart.
Padua took an intellectual, non-careerist approach to playwriting. In his essay "Ghosts and Shadows," published in the LA Weekly, founding member John Steppling cites this as one of the reasons Padua didn't garner as much press as he felt that it should have. Padua's focus on the artistic process as opposed to the final product made it difficult to market. “It’s easy to see how Padua never acquired a 'franchise,'” he says, “Padua had nothing to 'sell.'"
One overarching practice in many Padua Hills Festival plays was their site-specificity. Mednick stressed a reliance on “language in relation to space” in his teaching ". The plays were all very much connected to the physical environment they were performed in. A 1985 production of Mednick's Coyote Cycle, for example, took place from sundown to sunrise outdoors at the Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. Audience members huddled in sleeping bags were led from one part of the ranch to another by flashlight between scenes.
The Padua Hills Workshop/Theater Company ceased operations in 1995, citing financial difficulties.

Padua Hills Press

In 1994, Padua Hills Press published Best of the West, an anthology of eight works staged in 1989-1991, and went on to publish Plays from the Padua Hills Playwrights Festivals, 3 Plays by Murray Mednick, The Coyote Cycle by Murray Mednick, Hipsters in Distress, Plays for a New Millennium, and the forthcoming Beneath the Dusty Trees: The Gary Plays, and Fever Dreams. Padua Hills Press is distributed nationally by Theatre Communications Group.

Padua Playwrights Productions

In 2001, Padua returned as Padua Playwrights Productions. Mednick appointed playwright and director Guy Zimmerman as the artistic director. The new Padua was a more traditional theater company in that it took place indoors, otherwise the work it produced was very much in line with the anti-institutional, pro-playwright stance of its predecessor. “ being an outlaw and misfit within the theater community. We need Padua for artistic nourishment, ” said Roxanne Rogers, a director and original Padua participant, upon the founding of the new Padua. In its first three seasons the company staged 12 productions, including three in New York City, and garnered a host of LA Weekly, Garland, and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards and an American Theatre Critics Association Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award.

Productions, 1978–1995

YearLocationTitleWriterDirectorCast-
1978ClaremontCoyote I: PointingMurray MednickMurray Mednick-
1978ClaremontRed WomanSam ShepardSam Shepard-
1978ClaremontIn ServiceMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene Fornés-
1979ClaremontCoyote II: The Shadow RipensMurray MednickMurray Mednick-
1979ClaremontCurse of the Starving ClassSam ShepardSam Shepard
1979ClaremontThe VisitMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene Fornés-
1980ClaremontIron Lace on the Widow’s WalkConstance Russell MonaghanConstance Russell MonaghanNorbert Weisser, Laura Owens, Lola Glaudini-
1980ClaremontBarbequeJohn StepplingJohn Steppling-
1980ClaremontAliveWalter HadlerWalter HadlerLola Glaudini-
1980ClaremontHave You Ever Listened Very Long to the HushSusan ForsceySusan Forscey-
1980ClaremontCoyote III: Planet of the Spider PeopleMurray MednickMurray MednickDarrell Larson, Norbert Weisser, Ellen Blake-
1980ClaremontThe Man Who Killed the BuddhaMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinJohn Finch-
1981ClaremontServiceMichael MonroeMichael MonroeJoe Spano, Lorinne Vozoff-
1981ClaremontGentle ArtsSusan La TempaSusan La Tempa-
1981ClaremontThe Insistence Upon the ListenerJohn StepplingJohn StepplingLaura Fanning, John Horn, Natasha Mitchnick-
1981ClaremontCoyote IV: Other Side CampMurray MednickMurray MednickDarrell Larson, Norbert Weisser, Christine Avila-
1981ClaremontThe VisitMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésNorbert Weisser, James Dean, Toni Beshara, Patricia Mattick-
1981ClaremontPossum SongMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinJohn Finch, Grace Woodward, Dallas Alinder, James Dean-
1982ClaremontMysteries of the Bridal NightMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinDon Opper, Laura Fanning, Kelly Stuart-
1982ClaremontBercilak’s DreamJohn O’KeefeJohn O’KeefeElizabeth Ruscio, Tina Preston, Denise Dillard, Susan Kampe, Patricia Mattick-
1982ClaremontHoss DrawinLeon MartellLeon MartellElizabeth Ruscio, Leon Martell-
1982ClaremontCoyote V: Listening to Old NanaMurray MednickMurray MednickPriscilla Cohen, Ellen Blake, Darrell Larson, Norbert Weisser-
1982ClaremontSunset BeachSusan La TempaSusan La TempaKathleen Cramer, Roxanne Rogers, Lee Kissman, James F. Dean, Ricky Manoff-
1982ClaremontYou Can Swim in the Danube, but the Water is too ColdMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésLeon Martell, Dudley Knight, Patricia Mattick, Lee Kissman, Morgan Weisser, Lola Glaudini, Jessica Wood-
1982ClaremontNeckJohn StepplingJohn StepplingLeon Martell, Dudley Knight, Patricia Mattick, Lee Kissman, Morgan Weisser, Lola Glaudini, Jessica Wood-
1982ClaremontUntitledToni Berchara, Susan Champagne, Cathy Comenas, Sarah Lovett, Connie MonaghanTove JohnsonLeon Martell, Dudley Knight, Patricia Mattick, Lee Kissman, Morgan Weisser, Lola Glaudini, Jessica Wood-
1982ClaremontPolitesse—A Piece for Tape and LandscapeMichael MonroePatricia Mattick-
1982ClaremontGuys in black Leather Jackets Ducking Into Phone BoothsConnie Monaghan-
1982ClaremontCorrespondenceCindy Myers-
1983ClaremontMudMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésMary Jo Pearson, Gregory Pace, John O'Keefe-
1983Claremont1961 El DoradoLeon Martell, Elizabeth RuscioLeon Martell, Elizabeth RuscioLeon Martell, Elizabeth Ruscio-
1983ClaremontPolar BearJohn StepplingJohn Steppling-
1983ClaremontPrimitivesElizabeth WrayElizabeth WrayPriscilla Cohen, Ellen Blake, John Diehl-
1983ClaremontInterbellum'Michael MonroeMichael Monroe--
1983ClaremontSkinSarah LovettSarah LovettBob Behling, Rhona Gold-
1983ClaremontDon’t Ever Call Me Anything but MotherJohn O’KeefeJohn O’KeefeTina Preston-
1983ClaremontUntitled, 1957Susan La TempaSusan La TempaMary Jo Pearson, Gregory Pace, Elizabeth Ruscio, Lorinne Vozoff-
1983ClaremontVariationsMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinPatricia Mattick, Roxanne Rogers, Leon Martell-
1984Cal ArtsNo TimeMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésTina Preston-
1984Cal ArtsGuys at the Spunk HoleLeon MartellLeon MartellMorgan Weisser, Jesse Shepard, Lola Glaudini, Mark Petrakis-
1984Cal ArtsMimzabimLeon MartellLeon MartellRoxanne Rogers, Gregory Pace, Robert Ernst,-
1984Cal ArtsTranscendental EtudesMichael MonroeMichael MonroeElizabeth Ruscio, Rene Assa, Kurt Garfield-
1984Cal ArtsEverything in Its PlaceJohn StepplingJohn StepplingLee Kissman, Lee Kerwin, Kathleen Cramer, Robert Glaudini-
1984Cal ArtsScenes from University Life, Part IISusan La TempaSusan La TempaMary Jo Pearson-
1984Cal ArtsAir-Conditioned Beach #2Walter HadlerWalter HadlerRobert Glaudini, Marilyn Dodds-Frank, Natasha Mitchnick, Frat Fuller, Frederick Lopez-
1984Cal ArtsCoyote VII: He Brings the WaterfallMurray MednickMurray MednickDarrell Larson, Norbert Wiesser-
1985Paramount RanchThe Coyote CycleMurray MednickMurray MednickDarrell Larson, Norbert Weisser, Christine Avila, Priscilla Cohen, Tavish Graham, Morgan Weisser-
1986Loyola MarymountHow Gertrude Stormed the Philosopher's ClubMartin EpsteinMartin Epstein-
1986Loyola MarymountZoharMurray MednickMurray Mednick-
1986Loyola MarymountUntitledMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene Fornés-
1986Loyola MarymountTrue BeautiesJulie HebertJulie Hebert-
1986Loyola MarymountUntitledJohn StepplingJohn Steppling-
1986Loyola MarymountThe MagicianJohn O'KeefeJohn O'Keefe-
1986Loyola MarymountThe MagicianJohn O'KeefeJohn O'Keefe-
1986Loyola MarymountKingfishMarlane G. MeyerMarlane G. Meyer-
1988Pacific Design CenterDrowningMaría Irene FornésRoxanne RogersDon Keith Opper, Jon C. Slade-
1988Pacific Design CenterVeraMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinKathleen Kramer-
1988Pacific Design CenterBabblerJohn O’KeefeJan MunroeTina Preston, Scott Pauin, Joe Kane-
1988Pacific Design CenterA Good TouchSusan ChampagnePattricia MattickEllen Blake, Molly Cleator-
1988Pacific Design CenterThe Ballad of the Sleepy HeartDavid SchweizerDavid SchweizerPhillip Littell-
1988Pacific Design CenterMendozaRex WeinerRex Weiner-
1988Pacific Design CenterLike a Shadow SingingLynn MontgomeryLynn MontgomeryIngrid Oliu-
1989Pacific Design CenterShimmerJohn O'KeefeJohn O'Keefe-
1989Pacific Design CenterAmado Amor Alan BoltAmy Glazer-ConnollyDarrell Larson, Page Leong, Craig Ryan Ng, Ingrid Oliu, Susan Rome, Norm Skaggs, John Lacques-
1989Pacific Design CenterCities Out of PrintSusan MosakowskiSusan MosakowskiJohn Diehl, Shawna Casey-
1989Pacific Design CenterThe Ordeal of Nancy FergussonMartin EpsteinMartin EpsteinKathleen Cramer, Don Keith Opper, John Achorn, Jack Slater-
1989Pacific Design CenterIncrements of ThreeJohn PappasJohn PappasRobert Hummer, John Pappas, Deirdre Hade-
1989Pacific Design CenterKindlingLeon MartelLeon MartelMolly Cleator, Rick Dean, Jim Hynie, Leonard Donato-
1989Pacific Design CenterAlmost AsleepJulie HebertJulie HebertMary Forcade, Patricia Mattick, Tina Preston-
1989Pacific Design CenterThe Theory of MiraclesJohn StepplingJohn StepplingMick Colins, Kathleen Cramer, Taylor Donlan, Nick Flynn, Gill Gayle, Rachel Powell, Jack Slater, Murray Mednick-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeBall and ChainKelly StuartKelly StuartJames Oseland, Roberta Wallach, James Storm, Diane Defoe, Demosthenes Stathiginnopoulos-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeOur WitnessMartin EpstienMartin EpstienAnn Marie Baldwin, Dave Higgins, Dendrie Taylor-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeStorylandJohn StepplingJohn StepplingRick DeanMick Collins, Laura Fanning, Kathleen Cramer, Alexis Steppling, Demosthenes Stathigiannopoulos, Nick Flynn, Robert Glaudini, Thomas George Carter-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeBondageSusan ChampagneSusan ChampagneMolly Cleator, Roxanne Rogers, John Pappas, Dan Sullivan, Jeff Levy, Douglas Heller-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeBook of NumbersRoxanne RogersRoxanne RogersPamela Gordon, Joe Bellan, Robin Frates, Robert Hummer-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeShatter'n WadeMurray MednickMurray MednickDavid Officer, William Dennis Hunt, Scott Paulin, Susannah Blinkoff, Matthew Goulish, Mark Fite, Allison Studdiford, Nick Love, Laura Owens, Elizabeth Iannaci, Bob Craft, Peter Schaff, Joseph Goodrich-
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeSalsa OperaAlan BoltMiguel Delgado -
1990Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeBrick Time Stories: Tales of Death And Recipes Of MayhemLeon MartellDarrell LarsonLeon Martell-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeFettersRobert HummerRobert HummerRobert Fieldsteel, Gill Gayle, Greg Suddeth-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeSong of SongsSusan ChampagneSusan ChampagneSteve Starosta, Deborach Offner, Paul Grecol-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeThe Tight FitSusan MosakowskiSusan MosakowskiTina Preston, Lee Kissman, Bert Hinchman, Molly Cleator-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeThe Knee Desires the DirtJulie HerbertJulie HerbertJan-Marie Baldwin, Pamela Gordon, Kenn Norman-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeThe Interpreter of HorrorKelly StuartJames OselandPamela Gordon, Megan Butler, James Oseland-
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeHeadsMurray MednickSteve AlbrezziWilliam Dennis Hunt, Norbert Weisser, Nancy Mette, Karole Foreman, Eugenia Buerklin -
1991Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeThe PromotionJohn O'KeefeJohn O'KeefeScott Paulin-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeFailure to ThriveNeena BeberNeena BeberMichael Shamus Wiles, Jessica Hecht, Kara Westerman-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeDisgraceJohn O'KeefeJohn O'KeefeDenise Porier, Dahlia Wilde, Susan Van Allen-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeTerra IncognitaMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésKimberly Flynn, Jennifer Griffin, Leo Garcia, Leon Martell, Joel Goodman-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeUnderstanding the DeadJohn StepplingJohn StepplingMick Collins, John O’Keefe, Shelly Desai, Priscilla Harris, Kathleen Cramer, C.J. Saunders-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeLocofocoSusan MosakowskiSusan MosakowskiShawna Casey, Tina Preston, Molly Cleator, Pamela Gordon-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeSwitchbackMurray MednickMurray MednickSharron Shayne-Simeone, Robin Karfo, Mark Fite-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeJusticeShem BittermanShem BittermanJerome Butler, Preston Maybank, Brent Jennings, Peter Berg, Penny Johnson, Caitlin Stansbury-
1994Art and Design Center at Cal State NorthridgeAway From MeSusan ChampagneSusan ChampagneEugenia Buerklin, Carl J. Johnson, Steven Keyes, Ed Dloughy, Cherly Slean, Durrell Nelson-
1995USCSummer in GossensassMaría Irene FornésMaría Irene FornésMichael Shamus Wiles, Jessica Hecht, Kara Westerman-
1995USCDemonologyKelly StuartKelly StuartBob Gould, Lola Glaudini, Kathleen Glaudini, Jan Johnson-
1995USCEntrevista 187Gil KofmanGil KofmanKadina Delejalde, Frank Wood, Jeff Phillips-
1995USCThe Chemistry of ChangeMarlane MeyerMarlane MeyerKathleen Cramer, Van Quattro, Dendrie Taylor, Steve Keyes, Mark Fite, Ryan Cutrona-
1995USCFreezeMurray MednickGuy ZimmermanAmy Raasch, Denise Poirier, David Weininger, Antoinette Valente, Michael Matthys-
1995USCSteak Knife Bacchae''Joe GoodrichMichael HackerJoe Goodrich-

Selected Productions, 2001–Present

SeasonLocationTitleWriterDirectorCastAwards
2001–20022100 Square Ft Theatre, Los Angeles16 RoutinesMurray MednickMurray MednickGrace Zabriskie, Rene Assa, Maria O’Brien, Bill Mesnick, Ryan Cutrona, Peggy Blow, Tina Preston, John Pappas
2001–20022100 Square Ft Theatre, Los AngelesJoe and BettyMurray MednickMurray MednickAnnabelle Gurwitch, John Diehl, Dana Wieluns, Jack Kehler, Shawna Casey, Sharron Shayne, Drago SumonjaWinner Critics Choice, LA Times; Los Angeles Times “Top 10 for 2001”; American Theatre Critics’Association Steinberg New Play Citation
2001–20022100 Square Ft Theatre, Los AngelesMrs. FeuersteinMurray MednickRoxanne RogersMaria O’Brien, Christopher Allport, Lynnda Ferguson, Louis Plante, Matt Blair, Gwendolyn YeoWinner Critics Choice, LA Times; LA Weekly Award for Playwriting and Best Actress. LA Weekly “Top 10 for 2001” 2001 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Award Best Lead Actress Maria O’Brien
2002–2003Evidence Room, Los AngelesDog MouthJohn StepplingJohn StepplingSteven Davies, James Storm, Hugh Dane, Nia GwyneWinner Critic’s Choice LA Times, Top Ten Shows of 2003 Daily News and Entertainment Weekly; LA Weekly Award for Set Design.
2002–20032100 Square Ft Theater, Los Angeles. Production subsequently moved to The Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles and then the Traveling Jewish Theatre, San Francisco.Times Like TheseJohn O'KeefeJohn O'KeefeLaurie O’Brian, Norbert WeisserWinner Critic’s Choice LA Times, Ovation Awards for best Actor and Actress; LA Weekly Best Playwright and Best Playwright LA Drama Critics Circle
2002–20032100 Square Ft Theater, Los AngelesWilfredoWesley WalkerWesley WalkerJohn Horn, Christine Burke, George Gerdes, O-Lan Jones, Jack Kehler, Barry Del ShermanCurtainup.com “2002 Retrospective Top 10 List”
2002–2003Mark Taper Forum, Los AngelesWilfredoWesley WalkerWesley WalkerJohn Horn, Christine Burke, George Gerdes, O-Lan Jones, Jack Kehler, Barry Del ShermanCurtainup.com “2002 Retrospective Top 10 List”
2003–2004The Powerhouse Theatre, Santa MonicaG-NomeMurray MednickGuy ZimmermanMurray Mednick, Christopher Allport, Lynnda FergusonWinner of Garland Award for Playwriting and Direction
2003–20042100 Square Ft Theater, Los AngelesThe Inside JobGuy ZimmermanGuy ZimmermanBarry Del Sherman, Jessica Dean, Holly Ramos
2005–2006Electric Lodge, Venice, CATirade for Three, Gary's Walk, Girl on a BedMurray MednickGuy ZimmermanJohn Diehl, Christopher Allport, Hugh Dane, Niamh McCormally, Don Preston, Don Berman, Dana Wieluns, Shawna Casey, Jack Kehler, Andy Hopper, Mickey Swenson, Tom McCleister, David Carrera, Shannon Holt, Gray Palmer, Devon Carson2 Ovation Award Nominations: World Premiere Play
LA Weekly Award Nomination: Best Ensemble
LA Weekly Award Nomination: Comedy Performance, Shawna Casey
2005–2006Elephant Stageworks, Los Angeles, CAIn the Cool Dark: An Evening of Short PlaysShawna Casey, Jack Kehler, Sharon Yablon, Wes Walker, Guy ZimmermanShawna Casey, Jack Kehler, Sharon Yablon, Wes Walker, Guy ZimmermanShawna Casey, John Horn, Dana Wieluns, Tamar Fortgang, Gill Gayle, Sarah Diehl, Kim Debus, Mary C. Greening, Mari Ueda, Andy Hopper, Gray Palmer, Annie Weirich, Niamh McCormally
2005–2006Electric Lodge, Venice, CAVagrantGuy ZimmermanGuy ZimmermanChristopher Allport, Patrick Burleigh, Niamh McCormally
2005–2006Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2006, Zoo Southside, Edinburgh, Scotland, UKVagrant, Tirade for ThreeGuy Zimmerman, Murray MednickGuy ZimmermanChristopher Allport, Shawna Casey, Andy Hopper, Jack Kehler, Niamh McCormally.
2005–2006Lost Studio, Los AngelesOut of the BlueMurray MednickGuy ZimmermanTina Preston, Hugh Dane, Lee Kissman, Andy Hopper, Niamh McCormally, Gray Palmer, Mary C. Greening, Mark Adair-Rios
2005–2006Bedlum, Los AngelesFarm: 5 ten minute plays and a dance in a loft downtownSheryl Slean, Coleman Hough, Hank Bunker, Sharon Yablon, Guy ZimmermanSheryl Slean, Coleman Hough, Hank Bunker, Sharon Yablon, Guy ZimmermanKatie Bachler, Madeline Baugh, Kim Debus, Edward Felix, Lake Sharp, Devon Carson, Hugh Dane, Mark Adair-Rios, Mary C. Greening, Betsy Hume, George Gerdes, Gill Gayle, Andy Hopper, Mickey Swenson, David Weininger, Megan Yellott, Trace Turville-Konerko, Christine Romeo, Niamh McCormally
2007Stephanie Feury Studio Theater, Los AngelesThe Empty BedSharon YablonSharon YablonShawna Casey, Jack Kehler
2007Stephanie Feury Studio Theater, Los AngelesA New World WarRita ValenciaGuy ZimmermanAndy Hopper, Jack Littman, Niamh McCormally, Gray Palmer, Devon Carson
2007Bootleg, Los Angeles and Divadlo na Pradle, Prague Fringe Festival 2007The FeverWallace ShawnGuy ZimmermanPaul Mackley
2008Art ShareA Thousand Words
2009Art ShareNeo-Sacred Revival
2009Art ShareClown Show for BrunoMurray MednickGuy ZimmermanDaniel Stein, Dana Wieluns, Kali Quinn, Bill Celentano
2009Art ShareDestruction of the Fourth WorldMurray MednickBrian Frette and Kristi Schultz of Zoo District
2010LADAD SpaceHotel BardoHeidi DarchukGuy Zimmerman
2017Bootleg TheaterMr JobJuli CrockettJuli CrockettShaughn Buchholz, Gray Palmer, Jenny Greer, Brian Tichnell, Kenneth Breese
2018Resident Bar, MoryorkJack BennyJuli Crockett, Gray Palmer, Guy ZimmermanJuli CrockettShaughn Buchholz, Jenny Greer, Gray Palmer, Juli Crockett, Brian Tichnell