What Happens Next: A Cornerstone Theater Company

What Happens Next

Written by Naomi Iizuka

Directed by Michael John Garcés

In What Happens Next, Bonnie, an idealistic but inexperienced acting teacher, finds herself paired with a group of veterans as part of a drama therapy program. As she is confronted with the reality of her reluctant new students, Bonnie struggles to find a way to build trust and find common ground.

Written by award-winning playwright Naomi Iizuka and directed by Cornerstone’s Artistic Director Michael John Garcés, What happens Next was first performed in association with La Jolla Playhouse as part of their Beyond the Walls series at the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation in San Diego, for an audience of veterans, their families and the general public, and benefiting Operation Rebound.

Cornerstone Theater Company has been making new plays with and about communities for throughout Los Angeles and beyond for over 33 years. Nationally recognized as a leader in community-engaged theater, our plays celebrate many voices as we strive to include people who have not been on stage or event seen theater. Combining the artistry of people with many levels of theatrical experience, we act upon the conviction that artistic expression is civic engagement and that access to a creative forum is essential to the wellness and health of every individual and community. Our plays are staged in theaters, parking lots, factories, schools, and community centers. Each venue is specific to its project and community; audiences pay what they can so our performances are always accessible to all.

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What Happens Next is made possible by grants from The Annenberg Foundation; the California Arts Council, a stage agency; the James Irvine Foundation; The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; The Shubert Foundation and UCI's Veteran Services Center.