by Rosary O’Neill
Acclaimed in Norway and work shopped with the Actors Studio, NYC, this comedy captures the effervescent humor of Marilyn Monroe confused and intrigued by the signs she must follow to climb her way into heaven. Marilyn has just died and must audition for heaven. Will she get into heaven? The play explores the multi-levels of complexity of cult goddess Marilyn Monroe - her vulnerability, anger, and how Americans' worship of beauty and fame fueled her rise to stardom.
Directed by: Eva Cullen
Assisted Directed by: Edward Goldstein
Starring: Brianna Horvath (Marilyn) and Steven Cousler (God)
Costume and Sound Designed by: Sadie Carvlin
Lighting Designed by: Ayanna Leal
Produced by: Gus David Sanchez
Performances will run November 19th, 20th, 21st at 7PM at The Range (3217 EL Camino Real Road).
Marilyn/God
Blank Conversations is partnering up with organizations from around the city to bring you the one of the biggest events in live theatre in Las Cruces! We’re collaborating with the Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces Community Theatre, Las Cruces High School, Centennial High School, and Alma d’Arte to present “All Together Now!” alongside theatres across the world for one weekend!
Presented by MTI in support of community theatre across the world, ‘All Together Now!’ is a musical revue featuring songs from famous musicals, including “Newsies, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Rent”, “Mamma Mia”, and more!
November 12th (7PM), November 13th (2PM & 7PM), November 14th (2PM)
Venue: Rio Grande Theatre (211 N. Main St.)
Organized by: Gus David Sanchez
Music Coordinator: Alyssa Gose
Set and Script Designed: Christopher Lininger, Carissa Galban, and Brianna Miranda
All Together Now!
Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast (Oct. 2021)
A Las Cruces favorite returns, and is being hosted by Blank Conversations. So grab your friends, your drag, and come see a spectacular showing of the cult classic film starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and Richard O’Brien! From crazy characters to silly songs we invite you to come do the Time Warp Again!
The Plot: A newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.
Director: Carissa Galban
The Cast: Chad Gonzales (Frank-n-Furter), Alkhari Shirsat (Rocky), Elia Vasquez (Brad), Reagan Szulc (Janet), Cassandra Galban (Columbia), Shelly Valdovinos (Magenta), Yocelin Torres (Riff Raff), Debbie Owen (Eddie), Morgan Sullivan (Dr. Scott), JoAnna Hubbard (Criminologist)
by Adam Long, Reed Martin, & Austin Tichenor
600 years of history in 6000 seconds … history will never be the same! From Washington to Watergate, yea verily from the Bering Straits to Baghdad, from New World to New World Order – THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) is a ninety-minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History, reminding us that it’s not the length of your history that matters — it’s what you’ve done with it!
Co-Directed by: Eva Cullen & Gus David Sanchez
Stage Manager: Steven Cousler
The Cast: Alyssa Gose, Collin Duffey, and Brianna Horvath
Assistant Stage Manager: Kaylin Berglund
Set Designer: Topher Lininger
Lighting Designer: Frankie Gomez
Sound Board Operator: Carissa Galban
Stage Crew: Brianna Miranda
The Complete History of America (abridged)
The Mad Ones
Mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved...
18-year-old Samantha Brown sits in a hand-me-down car with the keys clutched in her hand. Caught between a yearning for the unknown and feeling bound by expectation, she telescopes back to a time before her world had fallen apart. As she relives her senior year, we meet Sam’s well-intentioned helicopter mother Bev and her high school sweetheart of a boyfriend Adam, but it’s her painfully alive best friend Kelly that haunts her. Kelly was everything Sam is not – impetuous and daring. She pushed Sam to break rules and do the unexpected. When Kelly is killed in a car wreck, Sam loses not only her best friend but also the part of herself that was learning to be brave. Now, Sam has to make a decision: Will she follow her mother’s dreams for her, or will she summon the courage to drive away from her friends and family into a future she can’t imagine?
The Cast: Victoria Cox (Sam), Peyton Womble (Kelly), Della Bustamante (Beverly), Bryan Berard (Adam)
Co-Directed by: Xodia Choate and Victoria Cox
Produced by: Peyton Womble
Stage Managed by: Christopher Lininger
Choreographer: Esther Rogge
Costume Design by: Yamilex Holpe
Assistant Costume Design by: Virginia Phillips
Set Design and Props by: Topher Lininger
Sound Design by: Dani Miller
Lighting Design by: Frankie Gomez
Assistant Lighting Design by: Brianna Miranda
Photography and Videography by: Ryan Robson, Julian Cavvett and Kent Harkley
Presented at the Rio Grande Theatre from July 2nd - 18th
Five Times in One Night
By Chiara Atik
In this comedic quintet, five couples explore the delights and disappointments of their sex lives. Whether they are the first two people on Earth or the last two, modern partners with shifting needs, exes on the eve of a life-altering event, or twelfth-century pen pals, following those most natural desires uncovers truths about their humanity. Altogether, FIVE TIMES IN ONE NIGHT is a hilarious examination of intimacy through the ages.
Co-Directed and Co-Starring: Esther Rogge and Riley Merritt
Film Directed and Edited by: Gus David Sanchez
Camera Operators: Joshua Tellez & Logan Sage
Filmed at The Range
Premiered May 14th and 15th, 2021
Shrek The Musical Jr.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
Presented by Centennial After School Theatre in association with Blank Conversations Theatre Company.
The Cast: Ashton Taylor (Shrek, Rat, Knight & Three Bears), Morgyn Gallegos (Fiona, Gingy, Guard, Knight, Blind Mice & Three Bears), Frankie Gomez (Donkey, Papa Ogre & Little Pig), David Paulson-Cahall (Lord Farquaad, Pied Piper & The Big Bad Wolf), Eva Cullen (Dragon, Teen Fiona, Mama Ogre, Rat, Guard, Blind Mice & Little Pig), Austin Hale (Pinocchio & Dwarf), Adan Rubio (Gingy, Knight & Little Pig), Taden Garzon (Young Fiona, Blind Mice), Campbell Dahl (Little Ogre & Three Bears), Amya Aguilera (The Ugly Duckling & The Wicked Witch), Ariela Flores (Captain of the Guards), & Darin Robert Cabot (The Storyteller)
Directed by Darin Robert Cabot
Assistant Music Directed by Morgyn Gallegos
Assistant Directed and Stage Managed by Eva Cullen & Amya Aguilera
Choreographed by Eva Cullen & Morgyn Gallegos
Scenic Designed by Frankie Gomez
Props by Austin Hale & Campbell Dahl
Costume Designed by Ariela Flores & Morgyn Gallegos
Make Up by Aislinn Lindsey
Sound Designed by David Paulson-Cahall & Liliana Ordonez
Lighting Designed by Josiah Chavez
Advertising by Ashton Taylor & Adan Rubio
Lights Courtesy of Joseph Lopez
Filming Courtesy of Cen10 Media
***Presented Through Special Arrangement with MTI (Music Theatre International) and ShowTix4U**
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Written by William Shakespeare
Edited by J.P. Crabb
Synopsis: The Tragedy of Macbeth tells the classic tale of how the noblest of men become corrupt by ambition and power. This new audio drama will transplant Shakespeare’s classic text into our modern political landscape. Whether it be with armies or votes, Macbeth’s rise and fall will continue to resonate with those willing to listen.
Director: Joseluis Solorzano
The Cast: Nick Mayeux (Macbeth), Gina DeMando (Lady Macbeth), Loren Jackson (Banquo), Kendall Hicks (Macduff), Ed Montes (Duncan and Hecate), Erin Wendorf (Lennox, Sergeant, and Siward), David Bruner (Seyton and Ross), Max Cline (Fleance, Donalbain, Lord, Macduff’s Son, Menteith, and Angus), Emily James (First Witch, First Murderer, and Porter) Mara Carmona (Second Witch, Second Murderer, and Lady Macduff), and Cassandra Galban (Third Witch, Third Murderer, Messenger, and Malcolm)
Editor: Gus David Sanchez
Cocaine
by Pendleton King
Set in an attic bedroom on Grand Street, Joe, a has-been boxer, and Nora, an out of luck prostitute, attempt to figure out how they’re going to pay back the rent they owe.
The Cast: Collin Duffey (Joe) and Brianna Horvath (Nora)
Dracula
Adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”, Orson Welles brings to life the vampire tale in this radio play adaptation from the Mercury Theatre broadcast in 1938. Listen in on a truly horrifying take on the famed character.
Director: Gus David Sanchez
Assistant Director: Topher Lininger
The Cast: Darin Robert Cabot (Dracula), McKensi Cabot (Arthur Seward), Scott Brocato (Van Helsing), Steven Cousler (Johnathon Harker), Emily James (Mina Harker), Ed Montes (Captain), Brianna Padilla (The Mate and Driver 1), Alyssa Gose (Lucy and Hildsheim), Cassandra Galban (Hand 2 and the News Vendor), Richard Gustin (Old Man and Hand 1), Topher Lininger (Dracula’s Driver), and Gus David Sanchez (Second Captain).
The One-Word Christmas Carol
by Dwayne Yancey
Synopsis: The traditional tale of A Christmas Carol with one exception: the number one. One actor, one word per line. Only this version of A Christmas Carol will make you say "Merry!" and then wait for someone else to speak so you can then say "Christmas!"
Starring: Ben Muckenthaler
Directed by: Jackson Huffman and Ben Muckenthaler
Edited by: Jackson Huffman