Through These Eyes May 5, 2011

PHANTOM PROJECTS THEATRE GROUP presents
Bruce Gevirtzman’s
THROUGH THESE EYES
May 5, 2011
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
10am (all seats $6), 7pm ($22, $12 for High School students and $6 for Middle School students)
Box office: (714) 994-6310, (562) 944-9801 or www.PhantomProjects.com

La Mirada, CA - Celebrating their 15th Anniversary Season, Phantom Projects Theatre Group is proud to present Bruce Gevirtzman’s play about self-image.

There are no reliable statistics concerning the number of teens with eating disorders, because so many are ashamed and won’t talk about. Sometimes, they are not even aware of their problem. THROUGH THESE EYES follows the lives of a group of teens, struggling to live up to the standards of society, the media, their friends, and the vision they see of themselves everyday in the mirror.

STEVE CISNEROS (Director) founded Phantom Projects in 1997 at the age of 17, teaming up with his former high school teacher Bruce Gevirtzman. He has since directed over 50 productions for the company including The Diary of Anne Frank, Our Town, The Center of the Universe, No Way to Treat a Lady, and Through These Eyes. Cisneros oversees the daily operations of the group and has successfully achieved growth for the company each season. In addition to Southern California, he has created an international scope of influence for the troupe, which has been featured throughout the world, particularly in Russia and France. In 2010, Phantom Projects opened a costume rental company, which rents out thousands of costumes to theatres and performance groups. Steve’s business savvy and good planning have incorporated this new source of revenue into another opportunity to sustain and grow the already successful brand known as Phantom Projects Theatre Group. The group will now be expanding their cultural offerings to a wide range of classics, including the recently successful run of Pulitzer and Nobel prize recipient Toni Morrison’s THE BLUEST EYE in Santa Monica, CA.

PHANTOM PROJECTS was founded in 1997 with the mission of providing high quality theatrical experiences to Southern California Audiences. Specializing in plays based on classic pieces of literature, Phantom Projects continues to bring veteran actors from Stage, TV, and Film to perform at the 1,251 seat La Mirada Theatre and in Santa Monica, CA at The Miles Playhouse. They are currently developing new works to present to a wide range of audiences around the country, while continuing to offer programming at their home base; the 1,251 seat La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

BRUCE GEVIRTZMAN (Playwright/Co-Founder) has been writing plays to be performed by and for students for several decades. At first, the work focused on general social and political issues, but it was not long before his scripts started covering topics sensitive to teens. Motivated to write after watching so many kids suffering, he was baffled by their ignorance on these subjects. He has since published the best selling books, An Intimate Understanding of America’s Teenagers and Straight Talk to Teachers. While coaching baseball, he found that some of his players were involved with drugs. He wrote a one-act, 50-minute show, and they performed it in all the classes every day for three days. They expanded to night performances, raised about $2500, which they put into a fund for anti-drug programs. He is also a self-styled “behaviorist.” He believes profoundly that “everything comes down to a behavior. Not a feeling; not a thought; but a behavior. We’re the sum of our choices. We make good ones and bad ones, but we always make them.” This is the philosophy that vitalizes all Phantom Projects plays. Its empowering effect on teens and parents alike is making the troupe a Southland sensation.

THROUGH THESE EYES plays May 5, 2011 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638. Performances are 10am (all seats $6), 7pm ($22, $12 for High School students and $6 for Middle School students). Special limited offer: One free student ticket with each paid adult (Valid in person at the box office, not valid on phone/internet orders), only while supplies last at La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638. Not valid on past purchases. Advance purchase recommended.
For reservations call: (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310, on line at www.phantomprojects.com and www.lamiradatheatre.com/tickets.htm

PHANTOM PROJECTS THEATRE GROUP offers THE BLUEST EYE (April 8-24 at The Miles Playhouse in Santa Monica), THROUGH THESE EYES (May 5th) , and THE 2011 YOUNG ARTIST PROJECT (August 6th) for their 15th anniversary season. Follow us on:
www.Facebook.com/PhantomProjects , www.Twitter.com/PhantomProjects , and www.YouTube.com/PhantomProjects.

OUR ENSEMBLE

Caitlyn Cappadona (Ensemble) is a 16-year-old Junior at Saint Joseph High School. She has been involved with her school, playing Crow in Crow and Weasel, and the part of the Spelling Bee in The Phantom Tollbooth. Caitlyn hopes to major in Child Development, in college, and minor in Theatre to become a Child Advocacy attorney. She feels that her acting experience will give her the confidence and public speaking skills that are important in courtroom settings. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the La Mirada Youth Council, and thinks that it is important for teenagers to get involved in the community and make their opinions known.

Gabriel Castillo (Rafa) is performing with Phantom Project for the first time. His past productions include South Pacific, Once Upon a Mattress, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Besides the Advanced Placement classes he partook in, he was a member of the California High School Entertainment Unit Band for four years. Gabriel started branching out into theater his junior year and Chamber Choir his senior year after discovering his hidden passion for both activities. He was also part of the National Honors Society and the International Thespian Society. He is currently a freshman in California State University of Long Beach pursuing Computer Engineering. In the future, he hopes to be an influential figure to help those in need. He chose to audition in this play because he believes the message within is true. We all encounter obstacles and face downfalls, but we have the power to choose what we include in our lives.

Piper Curda (Sienna) is making her Phantom Projects debut. She originated the role of Roly Poly in the 101 Dalmatians Musical National Broadway Tour. Other credits include: The King and I (Royal Princess) and A Wonderful Life (Littlest Angel). She has been in numerous print, runway, commercial, and film roles. Piper loves to read fiction and is a writer who hopes to one day be published. Her performance is dedicated to "my Daddy" who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Alanna Hanly (Emma) is 16 and a Junior at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Recently she’s appeared in The Laramie Project, Almost, Maine, and The Bad Seed. After High School, she hopes to study theatre in college. She is very proud to be involved in a project that she feels will show that the arts can make a difference in teens' lives.

Daishonai Jackson (Ensemble) is 16 and a junior in high school. She was previously seen with Phantom Projects in No Way To Treat A Lady. The response and the reactions that they received from the audience is what inspired her to return to the stage. The message. “The message of Through These Eyes is timeless.” Daishonai feels that being uncomfortable with one’s body is not an uncommon thing so as the show progresses she hopes that not only will the audience see the cast as actors but as real teens with relatable problems.

Phillip Jarrell (Donny) is 15 and has been intrigued by the performing arts ever since he first stepped up to the microphone at the age of four. Phillip received four years training at South Coast Repertory youth and teen acting programs. His first major role was the turkey boy in South Coast Repertory’s rendition of A Christmas Carol in 2006 and it inspired him to pursue theater into high school at the Orange County High School of the Arts. His performances since include Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and King Hubert in Sleeping Beauty at the Southeastern Civic Light Opera in Los Alamitos. Phillip volunteers his time serving to provide lunch each Saturday to the homeless population at a local park. He’s also active in OCHSA’s Junior State of America chapter, where he participates in mock political conventions and debates. Phillip is learning to speak French and wants to explore the wonders of France and Western Europe. His immediate goals include getting his driver’s license and raising funds to attend a summer program at Stanford University. His long-term goals include attending college and pursuing a career as a lawyer, actor, or writer.

Hannah Leventhal (Elianna) is an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Southern California working toward her BA in Theatre. She has been in over 20 different productions. Some favorite roles include Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Marion Hollander in Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water, and Mayzie LaBird in Seussical the Musical. Aside from the performing arts, Hannah is an avid runner and completed her first half-marathon this past December. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics, underprivileged preschools, and nursing homes and loves to help others. Hannah hopes to use this opportunity to show her own struggle with disordered eating and body image to touch other teens and show them that they are not alone.

Macy Sanchez (Jackie) is 17 and found time in between soccer, babysitting, painting, writing, and school to audition for her first Phantom Projects show. She is also a Young Adult Youth Board Advisory Member for a local cancer fundraising group. She hopes to become a published novelist, journalist or actress.

Genesis Torres (Ensemble) is 18 years young and has volunteered in various programs including a service learning class specializing in humanitarian work and community service learning projects. Currently a senior at La Mirada High School, her hobbies include acting, singing and learning about healthy lifestyles. Her acting experience consists of a lead role in the short film: For Jewel, a supporting role for a short: Tu Tango, and appearances in the Disney movie Hatching Pete and several TV commercials. She has attended 12 different schools. “It’s been really tough getting used to a brand new school with totally different people every time, but it’s made me a strong, independent, young woman.

Lexington Vanderburg (Sara) is thrilled to be back for her 3rd show with Phantom Projects. Currently a senior and acting major at the Orange County High School of the Arts she is looking forward to pursuing her acting career throughout college. Lexington has appeared in such shows as Almost Maine, Chess, and Medea. Other credits include plays such as No Way to Treat a Lady, a play about teen abstinence, and A Journey Through Hope and Healing, a short piece about human trafficking.

Janessa Monet Viramontes (Ensemble) is 19 and attends Rio Hondo College. She has volunteered to co-assist an acting class for children and has assisted in an acting class for the handicapped. In her free time she writes poetry and plays, and hopes to become a published author one day. In the future she plans on becoming a successful entertainment lawyer. “When I saw a show by Phantom Projects my senior year of high school I could not believe how real their stories were. They seemed to know exactly what so many of the people I knew were going through … I was amazed and knew I had to be part of it one day and that is what made me come to audition.”

Lara Volski (Ensemble) is appearing for the third time at the La Mirada Theatre with Phantom Projects. She is thirteen years old and attends the Orange County High School of the Arts as a student of the Creative Writing Conservatory. Lara loves to express herself through words, whether through the power of theater or the fine print of books.

Carissa Wright (Maura) is performing with Phantom Projects for the first time. She is a senior at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where she is focusing on acting. Her interest with educational theater was first sparked through a charity event with Grandma’s House of Hope & Invisible Children. Some of her favorite roles include Marilyn in #12 Looks Just Like You, Sally in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress, and Peggy in The Children’s Hour. Carissa is looking forward to continuing her acting studies as she pursues college in the near future.

Amanda Zukle (Ensemble) has worked in nine productions and this appearance marks her third production with Phantom Projects. She has played a variety of roles ranging from Mayzie LaBird in Seussical the Musical, a zombie in Night of the Living Dead, and the Human Conscience in Center of the Universe with Phantom Projects. Amanda has also appeared in productions such as Wait Until Dark where she played Gloria, and A Midsummer Night's Dream where she played Hermia.

Official Website: http://www.PhantomProjects.com