From the fall of 2001 through 2005, Cornerstone engaged in a series of projects exploring the question: How does faith unite and divide us? During this series of residencies, the company collaborated with communities of faith throughout Los Angeles. Some of the projects engaged people who share a religion, others were interfaith projects, some included a single congregation, and still others invited those who are not active participants in organized religion to reflect on the meaning of faith.
The Festival of Faith: 21 theatrical offerings
October 18 - November 18, 2001
A 5-week, citywide festival, featuring 21 faith-based projects, involving first-time artists alongside our ensemble's professionals, presented at 5 diverse houses of worship: Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple, Hacienda Heights; The Los Angeles Baha'i Center, Baldwin Hills; Faith United Methodist community Church, South Central Los Angeles; Temple Emanuel, Beverly Hills; New Horizon Islamic School, Pasadena.
ZONES or Where Does Your Soul Live and Is There Sufficient Parking?
October 5 - November 9, 2001
Written by Peter Howard. Directed by Bill Rauch.
A new theatrical construction, built at the intersection of performance and community dialogue. Zones is part play, part community conversation-a participatory theater experience that invites audiences to share their thoughts and experiences as the action unfolds around them.
CROSSINGS, journeys of Catholic immigrants
June 13 - July 7, 2002
Playwrights Alison Carey, Peter Howard, Shishir Kurup, Page Leong, Armando Molina, Evangeline Ordaz, Bernardo Solano, and Bernard White adapted Old and New Testament stories to explore the journeys of 5 diverse parishes throughout Los Angeles. Directed by Steve Kent. Performed at St. Vibiana's Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles
Body of Faith
February 20- March 22, 2003
Written by Luis Alfaro. Directed by Christopher Liam Moore. This production focused on the Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Community's complex and dynamic relationship between faith and identity. Co-presented by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and performed at their Renberg Theater in Hollywood.
Order My Steps
June 19- July 13, 2003
Written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Directed by Paris Barclay and Mark Valdez.
Phill Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute inspired this project with his passion for finding creative ways to reach African-American clergy, provoking reflection on the effects of HIV/AIDS on their communities. Presented at the WLCAC in Watts.
You Can't Take it With You by Moss Hart & George S. Kaufman
October 9-26, 2003
An American Muslim Remix Adaptation by Peter Howard. Directed by Mark Valdez. A contemporary adaptation (the first ever in this classic American comedy's 67-year history) that revolves around the lives of high-spirited Muslim family in Los Angeles, exploring themes of faith, family, individualism, politics and love. Performed at Los Angeles Theatre Center.
Center of the Star: A Jewish Walking Tour of Los Angeles
January 29-February 29, 2004
Written by Yehuda Hyman. Directed by Tracy Young. A dramatic journey, with music and dance, that celebrates and explores the lives of the Los Angeles Jewish community in their search for light.. Performed at Greenway Court Theatre in the historic Fairfax District.
As Vishnu Dreams
November 10–December 5, 2004
Written by Shishir Kurup. Directed by Juliette Carrillo. Co-production with East West Players. This rousing adaptation of The Ramayana, created in collaboration with the Hindu community, fused the ancient text and contemporary themes to explore the symbiosis of good and evil and the power of mythology. Performed at the David Henry Hwang Theater.
A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters
June 2 - 12, 2005
Written by James Still. Directed by Bill Rauch. This Faith-Based Bridge Show was a sprawling, panoramic epic that stages an interlocking chain of unexpected encounters between 10 communities of faith in today's Los Angeles and features 57 professional and community artists. Inspired by the religious history of Los Angeles, hundreds of faith-cycle participants and Schnitzler's classic play La Ronde, it traces a joyous, painful, surprising and restless circle through our wide-open spiritual landscape in the City of Angels. Performed at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.