THE TWO KIDS THAT BLOW SHIT UP (World Premiere)

Artists at Play is proud to present as our 2016 mainstage show the world premiere of The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up by Carla Ching, directed by Jeremy Lelliott. 

As kids, Max and Diana meet on their parents' date, then are kicked out of the house so their parents can get it on. They are forced to play together even though they aren't really that fond of each other. Through over two decades of their parents' tumultuous relationship of getting together, breaking up, getting married and then divorced, Max and Diana are perpetually forced together and become the most unlikely of friends. They see each other through their own marriages and divorces, rehabs and spin-outs, career rejiggerings and epic life fails. But when they actually fall into each other, will they lose the only family they've ever known? A play about falling in and out of love with your best friend.

The Playwright

photo credit: Elizabeth Caren

A Los Angeles native, Carla Ching stumbled upon pan-Asian performance collective Peeling at the Asian American Writers Workshop and wrote and performed with them for three years, which she still considers her first theater training.

Her plays include Nomad Motel (2015 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), Fast Company (South Coast Repertory, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lyric Stage, Pork Filled Productions; recipient of the Edgerton New American Play Award), TBA  (2g), The Sugar House at the Edge of the Wilderness (Ma-Yi Theater Company), and The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up (also forthcoming from Mu Performing Arts).

Alumna of The Women’s Project Lab, the Lark Play Development Center Writers Workshop and Meeting of the Minds, the CTG Writers’ Workshop and the Ma-Yi Writers Lab. Former Artistic Director of Asian American Theater Company, 2g.

TBA is published in Out of Time and Place. Fast Company is published by Samuel French. BA, Vassar College. MFA, New School for Drama. Proud member of New Dramatists and The Kilroys. On television, Carla has written on USA’s "Graceland," AMC’s "Fear the Walking Dead" and is currently writing on Amazon’s "I Love Dick."

The Director

Jeremy Lelliott is the founding artistic director of Coeurage Theatre Company where he has overseen more than 30 mainstage productions. Directing highlights for the company include Romeo & Juliet, Andronicus, The Woodsman, and Vieux Carré. He has acted in several Coeurage productions including Assassins and most recently The Pitchfork Disney. Lelliott has appeared in productions at The Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Independent Shakespeare Company, The Chance Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Disney on Broadway, among many others, and he has acted in several productions with MainStreet Theatre Company in Rancho Cucamonga. Lelliott holds a BFA in Film Production (Directing) from Loyola Marymount University ('05) and an MFA in Acting from California State University, Fullerton ('09). He proudly serves on the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Rules Committee.

The Actors
Nelson Lee (Max) Theatre credits include Carla Ching’s Fast Company (South Coast Repertory), Maple and Vine (The City Theatre in Pittsburgh; A.C.T.) and Outside People (Naked Angles/Vineyard Theatre). His film and television credits include “Stitchers,” “Oz,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Covert Affairs” and Virtuality.

Julia Cho (Diana) Film and television credits include “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” “Goliath,” “Scandal,” and Sounds We Have No Letters For. Cho has performed/toured with East West Players, Will & Company and Word for Word (San Francisco). Other theatre credits include multiple Artists at Play productions and readings for Playwrights' Arena, Pasadena Playhouse and Center Theatre Group. Originated the role of Diana in AAP's 2015 staged reading of The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up.

The Creative Team
Scenic Design by Se Oh
Costume Design by Rachel Stivers
Lighting Design by Alexander Le Vaillant Freer
Sound Design by Jesse Mandapat
Dramaturg Andrew Knight
Movement Specialist Donna Eshelman
Properties Coordinator by Erin Walley
Stage Manager Jonathan Castanien
Production Manager Jenna Riley
Asst. Stage Manager Cailin Luneburg

Artists at Play is thrilled to share this new work by playwright Carla Ching, with long-time L.A. theatre colleague Jeremy Lelliott bringing his insight and vision to this world premiere. Can't wait to introduce to you The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up ...

The Lounge Theatre

Previews: August 18, 19, 20 

Opening: August 21 

Closing: September 4