CMPG Past Productions

Antigone (2001): A new adaptation of the Greek myth, developed in collaboration with The Actors' Gang (workshop only)

The Akhmatova Project (1997 - 2000): A new movement-based theatre piece inspired by the life and writing of Russian Poet Anna Akhmatova. World Premiere at the Actors' Gang Theatre, Los Angeles (2000). Named one of the "10 Best" Productions for 2002 by Los Angeles Times, nominated for 4 L.A. Weekly awards (Best Production, Director, Ensemble, Choreography), winning the Choreography award. It was performed as a work in progress at ASK Theatre Projects' Common Ground Festival and at the Getty Center, among other venues. www.akhmatovaproject.com

Sun Song (1991) and Stories of the Sun (1990): These trans-cultural, multi-media outdoor festival events were developed and produced in collaboration with members of the Santa Barbara community as part of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Festival. The projects each included over 100 performers - actors, musicians, dancers, and puppeteers - utilizing 3 performance areas, spoken and sung in English and Spanish, along with ASL.

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (1990-1991): Developed through 7 months of workshops with actors and musicians. Toured Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Los Angeles. Named one of the "10 Best" Productions for 1991 by L.A. Reader.

The Rover by Aphra Behn (1989-1990): Originally commissioned by The Fund for Santa Barbara (philanthropic organization), and performed in a private home, the piece was later remounted in an abandoned locker room at the Hollywood Recreation Center in Los Angeles.

Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (1998): Adapted through workshops with actors and musicians and performed at Joseppi's Bar in Santa Barbara, the site-specific work made use of all the nooks and crannies of that venue, and initiate a new audience in the theater experience.

Baal by Bertolt Brecht (1985): Developed and produced as an independent student project at UCLA and performed in a basement room. This production and ensemble were the genesis of Critical Mass performance Group.

Critical Mass Performance Group (formerly The Firebrand Theatre Company), was born in 1985 at UCLA, out of an independent student production of Brecht's Baal. The ensemble maintained an active working relationship after graduating, and in 1988 produceda multi-media adaptation of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus in a jazz bar in Santa Barbara. From 1989 - 1991, the company collaboratively developed, produced and toured three productions in Santa Barbara, Ojai and Los Angeles, all performed in non-traditional spaces. Additionally during that time, we created two transcultural, multi-media festival performance events as a part of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration. From 1997 - 2000, we developed and produced the award winning premiere of The Akhmatova Project at the Actors' Gang Theatre. Our new piece Apollo, has been in development and shown as a work-in-progress at A.S.K. Theatre Projects' Common Ground Festival and the L.A. History Project at Edgefest, both in 2002.