FC2: From the Community, For the Community
The PenArts playwriting program, FC2: From the Community, For the Community, provides emerging writers an opportunity to work with professional writers to write their own story, culminating in a reading of their play at The Gordon Community Art Center. Local writers submit for a chance to be one of the two selected writers for each session. Our professional writers and mentors work with the selected writers to help them develop a new play that is then read by local actors in a public reading at The Gordon. This program provides community members with a chance to share their voice with the community.
Spring 2025 Session
Submissions will be accepted
January 2nd – February 7th.
To apply you will submit:
– A 5-10 page sample of your writing
– A brief synopsis (no longer than two paragraphs)
of the play that you would like to write
If selected, you will meet virtually once a week with your professional mentor as you write a 30-minute play that will be read publicly at The Gordon in May 2025. Your professional mentor will support and guide you through this process.
Fall 2024 Session
The Local Writers:
Linda Beuthe
Caitlynne Brooks
The Professional Mentors:
Jeremy Mann
Tim Casto
Meet our professional writers and mentors:
JEREMY MANN is currently head of the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program at UCLA, where he developed the singing curriculum for the Department of Theater. He has directed, choreographed, musically directed and/or performed in dozens of American regional theatre productions, and is a prolific lyricist and songwriter. Writing credits include the stage musicals Robin Hood, Christmas Is…A Musical Memory, Small Window, Christmas is Here Again, and Jerry Mander’s Blah Album, as well as songs and episodes for Renegade Animation/ Warner Brothers’ series The Tom and Jerry Show. He is a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s Music Theater Program.
TIM CASTO is an actor and writer based in Los Angeles. He has worked as an actor in multiple regional theaters, including Utah Shakespeare Festival, PCPA Theaterfest, Company of Angels, Geva Theater, Tent Theater, and PenArts. Tim’s TV and Film work includes a recurring role as Jerry on “Comedy Bang Bang” and VO work dubbing English dialogue for multiple Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. As a TV writer, Tim spent four seasons writing episodes for Renegade Animation/Warner Brothers’ series “The Tom and Jerry Show”. Additionally, he wrote the award-winning short screenplays, “Outside Harmony” and “Fred and Ginger”. His one act play “The Swing” has had multiple productions, most recently at the Vandivort Theater in Missouri. He is currently developing and writing the Podcast series “Creature of Habits”. Tim holds degrees from Southwest Missouri State University, Ball State University, and is a proud graduate of UCLA Extension’s Feature Screenwriting Program.
Photos from our previous FC2 Presentation in September 2024
We are very grateful to ESC Law Firm for their support of our Inaugural FC2 presentation!
