News

• May 2010:

  "Seducing Charlie Barker" is screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival Sunday May 2 @ 6:30pm, Kabuki Theater, 1881 Post Street (at Fillmore) San Francisco and on Tuesday May 4 @ 6:45pm, Landmark's Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore Street (at Clay), San Francisco
  TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT: https://www.trilogyticketing.com/sffs/?SFIFF53

• April 2010:

  Idell & Seitel handled the legal work for Amy Glazer’s feature length film "Seducing Charlie Barker" which won the Best Narrative Feature, Best Male Performance (Stephen Barker Turner) and Best Female Performance (Heather Gordon) awards at the Geneva Film Festival.

• March 2010:

  Idell Family Vineyards launches its website: www.idellfamilyvineyards.com.

• February 2010:

  Owen Seitel will moderate a panel discussion presented by the Sports and Entertainment Law Section of the Barristers Club of San Francisco entitled "Get into the Game: Sports Law 101." Panelists include Jack Bair, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, San Francisco Giants; Adam Brezine, Partner Holme, Roberts & Owen, LLP; and Justin H. Bass, Managing Director, CSI Capital Management. The event will take place at the Bar Association of San Francisco Conference Center, 301 Battery Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA. For information and registration to attend go to: http://www.sfbar.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=B101493/B101493.

• January 2010:

  Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell has been appointed to the American Arbitration Association Panel of Neutrals. Mr. Idell, a mediator and arbitrator, in addition to his active trial and transactional practice provides both arbitration and mediation services on a number of court panels as well as privately by arrangement.
  
  Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell has been appointed to the Planning Committee for the annual meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 7-9, 2010.

• December 2009:

  Founding Partner Richard J. Idell has been elected to a further term as President of the Board of the California Film Institute which presents the Mill Valley Film Festival and owns and operates the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

• August 2009:

  Idell & Seitel associate Elizabeth J. Rest has been elected to serve as the Chair of the Sports and Entertainment Law section of the Barristers Club of The Bar Association of San Francisco ("BASF"). The BASF Barrister's Club consists of 3,200 members in their first ten years of law practice, as well as law students and other legal professionals. The Barrister Club's Sports and Entertainment Section provides continuing legal education seminars on a broad range of topics, including: stadium development issues; venue and fan management; sports and entertainment licensing and athlete and artist representation, among others. The Barrister's Club also holds social and networking events throughout the year for its members and those involved in the sports and entertainment business community. For information about BASF please see their website: http://www.sfbar.org/index.aspx. To contact Elizabeth Rest: elizabeth.rest@idellseitel.com .

• July 2009:

  Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell was appointed as the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Law's representative to the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Advisory Committee.

• June 2009:

  Idell & Seitel client San Francisco Playhouse (www.sfplayhouse.org) has casted the final show of their sixth season, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which will open on June 27, 2009 and run through September 5, 2009. Founded by Bill English and Susi Damilano in 2003, the SF Playhouse is Union Square’s intimate, professional theatre. Also, it has been announced that The SF Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIG, GAY DANCE PARTY, by Aaron Loeb, directed by Chris Smith, will be presented as part of the 13^th Annual New York International Fringe Festival August 13^th through 30^th. For tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org

• May 2009:

  Idell and Seitel client, SHN, opened Spamalot at the Golden Gate theatre which will run May 22 to July 5, 2009: www.shnsf.com

  Idell and Seitel client, Another Planet Entertainment, has announced that it will produce the Treasure Island Music Festival again this year on Treasure Island in San Franciso on Treasure Island, October 17 and 18, 2009: www.anotherplanetent.com

  Idell & Seitel client, Another Planet Entertainment, announced its line-up and dates for the second annual "San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival" to be held in Golden Gate Park August 28-30, 2009. The lineup includes: Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys, Incubus, Black Eyed Peas, M.I.A., Jason Mraz, Ween, The Mars Volta, Theivery Corporation, Modest Mouse, TV on the Radio and more… www.sfoutsidelands.com

  Idell & Seitel client, Amy Glazer and her production company, Bashert Productions, has just completed principal photography on the feature-length film "The Scene," written by Theresa Rebeck, with a cast including Daphne Zuniga (formerly of Beverly Hills 90210). The film was shot entirely in San Francisco. The film is now in post production. see more….

• May 12, 2009:

  An article authored by founding partner, Richard J. Idell, on Force Majeure clauses in live entertainment contracts, was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal: "Must the Show Always Go On? Better Check the Contract".

• May 11, 2009:

  Founding partner, Richard J. Idell was interviewed and quoted in the San Francisco, Chronicle front page story on the legal entanglements surrounding claims against music promoter, Brian Martin of Brian Martin Presents. Idell & Seitel LLP have represented comedian Ron White in connection with the matter and currently represent Roy Tesconi in a case against Martin.

• May 5, 2009:

  An article authored by founding partner, Richard J. Idell, on insurance and indemnity issues in live performance endeavors, was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal: "Indemnity Policies Are Crucial To Setting The Stage For A Smooth Live Show".

• April 21, 2009:

  An article authored by founding partner, Richard J. Idell, on the centerfold position of live performances in an Artist’s career was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal: "A Concerted Effort".

• April 10, 2009:

  Idell & Seitel client, Another Planet Entertainment LLP, in conjunction with Lucasfilm LTD, presented its long awaited opening of the 90 minute live show, "Star Wars: A Musical Journey", at the O2 Arena in London. The sold out show featured Star Wars footage and music performed by a live symphony orchestra; the show will tour in other European cities before coming to the United States: www.anotherplanetent.com

• March 2009:

  Idell & Seitel founding partner, Richard Idell, will participate as a panelist for the Law Seminars International Gamer Technology Law Conference/Seminar in Beverly Hills, March 9 to10, 2009. Mr. Idell will participate on a panel entitled: “Litigation Up-date: Top 10 Cases of 2008”.

• February 2009:

  Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell has been appointed to the Judiciary Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco for a one year term. The Judiciary Committee is concerned with the selection of judges for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Supreme Court of California, the California Court of Appeal, first Appellate District and any other court connected with the administration of justice in the City and County of San Francisco. The Committee evaluates candidates for judicial office, including judges under consideration for elevation, and makes a report of such evaluations to the Board of the San Francisco Bar Association in the matter of election of candidates to such judicial offices.

  Idell & Seitel founding partner, Richard Idell, will participate on Saturday, February 7, 2009, as an oral argument judge in the headquarters of the Ninth Circuit for the 18th Annual Saul Lefkowitz National Moot Court Competition in Trademark and Unfair Competition Law. Law Students from around the country participate in this annual trademark and unfair competition Moot Court which is coordinated by the International Trademark Association (INTA).

  Idell & Seitel founding partner, Owen Seitel, will be speaking at the Industry Noise conference on February 27, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, California. Owen will be on a panel entitled “What Happens In Vegas… gets spun into eternity on the web - the realities of having a constantly recorded and document career, and creating and keeping control of an artist image and rights”. For information: click here

• January 2009:

  Idell & Seitel founding partner, Owen Seitel, has been elected to serve a second term as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Headlands Center for the Arts one of the premiere artist in residence programs in the world. Headlands Center for the Arts provides residencies and work space for emerging artists from around the world in former military buildings located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County, California. For information about Headlands Center for the Arts: www.headlands.org

  Idell & Seitel, LLP client, Efraim Wyeth, just completed principal photography on his project "Protest Nation," a documentary about the protest song, which involved filming in over 30 cities in less than 10 weeks, including the Democratic and Republican national conventions. See www.protestnation.org. The film is currently in post production.

• December 2008:

  Idell & Seitel founding partner, Richard Idell, was elected to a fourth term as President of the Board of Directors for the California Film Institute which presents the Mill Valley Film Festival and owns and operated the art house film center, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

  Idell & Seitel, LLP client, Josiah Ng, an 8-time World Cup medalist in track cycling and two-time Olympian (representing Malaysia) won a major indoor track cycling race in Australia and became the first non-Australian to win this competition in its 75-year history. read more…

• November 2008

  Idell Family Vineyards, owned and operated by founding partner, Richard J. Idell will release its 2007 Syrah, "Oscar OFS", Carriger Road Vineyard, produced and bottled from estate grapes at the Idell Family Vineyards in Sonoma, California.

• October 21, 2008

  Owen Seitel will be presenting a Continuing Legal Education seminar jointly produced by the Intellectual Property and Internet Law Section and The Sports and Entertainment Law Section of the Barristers Club of San Francisco entitled:

  Negotiating Athlete Endorsement Agreements
  October 21, 2008: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm; BASF Conference Center
  301 Battery Street
  3rd Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94111
  

  For more information: click here

  Topics: Companies are dedicating escalating amounts of money and reputation to product and service endorsements by athletes. Endorsement and sponsorship income has become a boon for the big-sport celebrity athletes and a necessity for the lesser known and those involved in the less glamorous sports. The terms and deal points of an endorsement agreement will be reviewed with consideration of the concerns to both parties.

• October 16th to 18th, 2008

  The American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Law Industries will hold its annual meeting in Los Angeles from October 16 to 18, 2008. Richard J. Idell, founding partner is the Program Chair for the meeting. Mr. Idell is also on the Governing Board of the Forum. Information on the meeting can be found at the Forum's website which is: www.abanet.org/forums/entsports/home.html.

• October 16th to 18th, 2008

  Owen Seitel will be presenting on a panel at the American Bar Association forum on the entertainment and Sports Industries 2008 Annual Meeting taking place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California, October 16-18, 2008. For more information about this event: http://www.abanet.org/forums/entsports/calendar/home.shtml.

• October 3, 2008

  The Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit will, in partnership with the California Film Institute and the Mill Valley Film Festival, present an evening featuring the, soon to be released, home video version of "Last Days of the Fillmore". This film, completed in 1972, is a documentary of the closing of the original Fillmore Auditorium in 1972. Bill Graham, rock impresario, founded the famed Fillmore Auditorium in 1967 and eventually had clubs in New York and San Francisco. The use of poster art to present musical events was originated at these venues. Some artists referred to the Fillmore as the "cathedral of rock". The film which was originally released theatrically by 20th Century Fox, features rare footage of Bill Graham and musical performances by [list]. Richard J. Idell of Idell and Seitel LLP is on the Board of the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation and the attorney for the foundation in its efforts to restore the film and release it as a home video product. The foundation has entered into a distribution agreement with Rhino Records for release and distribution of the film. The Mill Valley Film Festival will present clips from the film and a panel discussion featuring Bill Graham Presents and other rock and roll veterans Jerry Pompili, Steve Parish, Herbie Herbert, Raechel Donahue and John Beug. The panel will be moderated by Ben Fong Torres. Following the screening and panel there will be an evening of music celebrating the San Francisco Sound of the late 60's and early 70's featuring as house band Moon Alice and special guests such as Ray Manzarek of The Doors and Lydia Pense of Cold Blood. The evening is being produced by the Bill Graham Foundation and the Mill Valley Film Festival.

• October 2 to 12, 2008

  The California Film Institute will present the Mill Valley Film Festival at various venues in Marin County. The Festival will present hundreds of programs with special filmmakers, actors and producers as guests. Opening Night films this year are: "Religulous" and “The Secret Life of Bees”. Richard J. Idell, founding partner in Idell and Seitel is the President of the Board of the California Film Institute. He will moderate a panel on October 4, 2008 at 142 Throckmorton Theatre entitled: “Independent Film, Why Panic?”. The panel will feature the following: Jonathan Dana, Ron Yerxa and Danielle Renfrew.

• May 8, 2008

  Idell and Seitel LLP announced that founding Partner, Richard Idell will join Whitney Broussard, Esq., Selverne Mandelbaum Mintz, of counsel, Fred Von Lohmann, Esq., Electronic Frontier Foundation, Zahava Levine, Esq., YouTube, General Counsel on a music law panel as part of the San Francisco MusicTech Summitt II:

  Event: SanFran MusicTech Summit II
  Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  Date: Thursday, May 8, 2008
  Topic: "Copyright Issues in Music Law"
  Start time:  10:00

• April, 2008:

  Idell and Seitel LLP announce the launch of Idell & Seitel Entertainment and Media Advisory Services. This division of the law firm focuses on business challenges and issues facing clients in their entertainment endeavors. Heading this initiative is Morty Wiggins, a veteran entertainment business executive, manager and promoter.

  Idell & Seitel describe the mission of the division as follows:
  The introduction of digital media is the catalyst for major changes affecting the traditional entertainment business.  These changes have created exciting opportunities while also posing significant challenges.  Until the new digital media business models replace the traditional revenue streams the key to success during this time of transition is to plant a foot in both worlds.  This new division offers services that bridge traditional entertainment businesses, where much of the revenue still lies, and the emerging digital media marketplace.  We offer our expertise and services specifically in the areas needed:

  • Physical and digital distribution
  • Intellectual property rights
  • Licensing
  • Entertainment industry contract negotiations (film, music and digital rights)
  • Exclusive on line publishing
  • Career development

  Morty Wiggins' resume follows:

  Career Biography
  Morty Wiggins launched his career in the music business over twenty five years ago promoting concerts in Sonoma County, California. Frustrated at not being able to grow as a promoter (all of Northern California was considered Bill Graham’s territory), in 1983 Morty went to work for the world - renowned concert promoter and artist manager Bill Graham. During his 15 successful years at Bill Graham Presents Morty became one of the Vice President / partners and signed for management representation the “multi- platinum” recording artists Sheryl Crow, the Gin Blossoms, Aaron Neville and “gold” recording artists Monster Magnet and the Neville Brothers, amongst others. 

  In 1996, Morty was recruited by A&M Records to become their General Manager.
  He oversaw the marketing, sales, promotion, publicity, and creative services departments, created and executed quarterly budgets of seven million dollars and scheduled the release of 40 to 50 new releases and over 100 promotional singles.

  A&M Records was shuddered with the merger of Polygram Records into Universal Music. In November 2000 Morty conceived, developed and executive produced the music television series, “Live at the Fillmore”, which he syndicated monthly in select cable markets.  Episodes featured such up and coming acts that went on to break including Cold Play, Pete Yorn, Lincoln Park and others.

  In January 2001 Morty launched and was named President of the independent record company for Tower Records, 33rd Street Records where he developed a novel approach to licensing finished masters from established touring artists.  Morty then took on Tower’s independent distribution business, Bayside Entertainment Distribution, and ran Bayside profitably ($25M annual sales) until the sale of the company.

  In October 2005 Morty accepted the position of President at the digital media company Outhink.  He successfully negotiated some of the first exclusive production contracts for videobloggers and advertising revenue share agreements with publishing sites including Yahoo and Blip.TV.   Morty also launched the Outhink podcasting site Towerpod.com which was one of the first websites featuring DRM free full length songs in the MP3 format.

  Morty is currently a board member of NARAS and the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation and is happily married to his wife Debbie and a father of three; Jacob, Isaac, and Emunah.

• March 10, 2007:

  Richard J. Idell, founding partner of Idell & Seitel LLP has been named Program Chair for the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries. The announcement was made at the Spring Governing Committee Meeting. Mr. Idell was appointed to the Governing Board in October of 2007. Prior to that appointment he served as Sponsorship Chair. The Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries will be held from October 16 to 18, 2008 in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

• March, 2008:

  Richard Idell will be presenting at Law Seminars International's conference on Gamer Technology Law, March 27 & 28, in Beverly Hills, CA. Addressing online gaming, social networking litigation, globalized game production and other cutting-edge topics, this program will show you have to navigate the legal and business maze required to get a video game to market. Mr. Idell will discuss "The Litigation Horizon" including what people need to know about product liability and class action law suits, potential plaintiff theories, tips for calculating your exposure, and defensive strategies.

  You may view the full program agenda and register here: http://www.lawseminars.com/seminars/08GAMECA.php

• February 22, 2008:

  Founding partner, Richard J. Idell was elected to the Board of Grajonca Foundation and named Vice-President of the Board. Grajonca Foundation is a San Francisco based foundation that, among other projects, celebrating the philanthropy and life of Bill Graham, is restoring the 1971 film Last Days at the Fillmore and creating a Bill Graham Museum in San Francisco. In addition, the non-profit will produce the annual Bill Graham Justice Award dinner each year.

• February 9, 2008:

  Idell & Seitel LLP Founding Partner, Richard Idell, will serve as an oral argument judge for the annual Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court competition held every year in the Ninth Circuit Building. Mr. Idell has participated in this event regularly for several years.

• January, 2008

  Idell & Seitel, LLP Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell, has been invited to speak on a panel of international lawyers at MIDEM on January 27, 2008 in Cannes, France. Mr. Idell has been asked to speak on a number of topics of interest to the assembled international group of entertainment lawyers. He will speak on: Sunday, January 27, 2008, “The IAEL Update Seminar- What You'll Need to Know in 2008”. This panel is sponsored by the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers. Mr. Idell is a long-time member of that group. MIDEM is the largest music conference in the world with nearly 10,000 music and technology professionals attending from 90 different countries including representatives of the recording, publishing, live, digital, mobile and branding sectors. The conference is held annually in the South of France. The website is: www.midem.com

  San Francisco Attorney Named Chairman of World Renowned Arts Center
  Owen Seitel Moves into New Role at Headlands Center for the Arts

  San Francisco, California (January 1, 2008) – San Francisco law firm Idell & Seitel, LLP announced today that founding member Owen Seitel has been elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Headlands Center for the Arts. His duties will include oversight of the board of directors in their governance and fiduciary responsibilities.

  Headlands Center for the Arts is located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County and is one of the leading artists residency programs in the country. Committed to providing an unparalleled environment for the creative process and the development of new work and ideas, Headlands offers artists residencies and public programs and creates opportunities for reflection, dialogue and the kind of engagement that builds understanding and appreciation for the role of art in society.

  As new Chairman of the Board, Seitel is committed to advancing Headlands goal of broadening opportunities for artists and the general public. “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to furthering Headlands’ mission of increasing the role of art and artists in society,” said Seitel. “Headlands creates an environment that helps foster the creative process not only in the local community but around the world, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

  “Owen’s expertise and commitment to our vision will be invaluable as the program continues to promote the professional development of artists and the long-term sustainability of our organization and our historic campus,” said Executive Director Gary Sangster.

  Owen has been involved with Headlands Center for the Arts as a Trustee for three years. His deep appreciation of the arts stems from his two decades of work as an arts and entertainment lawyer.  Seitel’s legal work includes the handling all aspects of the creation, protection, licensing and distribution of intellectual property, and litigation of business and intellectual property disputes for film makers, artists, music and live event producers, and athletes and enterprises involved in the sports industry.

  About Headlands Center for the Arts
  Situated in a campus of artist-renovated military buildings in the Marin Headlands, just north of San Francisco, Headlands Center for the Arts hosts an internationally recognized Artist in Residence Program, interdisciplinary public programs, and subsidized studio rentals for Bay Area artists of all disciplines. Through these programs, Headlands offers opportunities for artist research, dialogue and exchange that build understanding and appreciation for the role of art in society.  www.headlands.org

  About Idell & Seitel LLP
  Idell & Seitel counsels and represents clients in a wide of range of transactional matters including business affairs focusing on the creation, ownership, licensing and protection of intellectual property in all forms of media and assistance and guidance throughout the life cycle of business operations. The firm provides counsel in film, music, art, live performance and other entertainment and sports industry endeavors with particular emphasis in legal and business issues arising at the intersection of entertainment and technology™.  www.idellseitel.com

• December 17, 2007:

  The San Francisco Opera announced December 17, 2007, that it had inked a contract with The Bigger Picture for a multi-year distribution deal to distribute recordings of San Francisco Opera performances to theatres throughout the world. Idell & Seitel LLP founding partner, Richard J. Idell, represented the San Francisco Opera in the transaction.

• December, 2007:

  Idell & Seitel, LLP Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell, was elected December 12, 2007, to a fourth term as President of the California Film Institute. The California Film Institute is a California Public Benefit Non-Profit, based in San Rafael, California which presents the prestigious Mill Valley Film Festival each October and also owns and runs the restored art deco theater in San Rafael, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.  The website for the California Film Institute is: www.cafilm.org; for the Mill Valley Film Festival is: http://www.mvff.com/node/2633; and for the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center is: www.cafilm.org/nav0_2.html.

• November, 2007:

  Idell & Seitel LLP Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell, spoke at the 32nd Annual State Bar of California Intellectual Property Law Institute at its meeting in Monterey November 8 to10, 2007. The panel was "Piracy: Injunctive Relief from the Trenches." He was joined on the panel by Michael Page of Keker & Van Nest.

• October, 2007:

  Idell & Seitel LLP announces that they successfully defended Trees Foundation of Redway, California in a breach of contract/fraud claim. The jury trial concluded on October 9, 2007, in the Humboldt County Superior Court, with a verdict of no liability for the Trees Foundation. Richard Idell was the trial lawyer. Ory Sandel was second chair counsel.

  Idell and Seitel LLP Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell, was elected to the Governing Board of the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. Mr. Idell previously served as Sponsorship Chair. The website for the Forum is: http://www.abanet.org/forums/entsports/

• September, 2007:

  Idell & Seitel LLP Founding Partner, Richard J. Idell, has been selected to serve on the Bar Association of San Francisco Panel of Mediators. Mr. Idell has extensive experience in hundreds of mediations and settlement conferences throughout his three decades of practicing law. The website for Mr. Idell's listing is: http://www.sfbar.org/adr/panelists/idell.aspx

• Summer of 2007:

  Idell & Seitel LLP Founding Partner, Richard Idell, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Playground, a non-profit which is described on its website as follows:

  Mission of PlayGround

  The mission of PlayGround is to support the development of significant new local voices for the theatre. More than just a play development program, PlayGround focuses on the creation of a true theatre community by nurturing the collaborative process between first-time or early development playwrights, and established professional actors and directors. With a particular focus on the ten-minute form, PlayGround creates a microcosm of the greater theatre scene, allowing for experimentation and risk-taking as well as the honing of style and technique.

  History

  Since its founding, PlayGround has developed and staged more than 400 original ten-minute plays by 137 early-development writers. In the process of staging those works, PlayGround has helped to identify some of the leading emerging writers in our community and, at the same time, has engendered the creation of a true community of theatre artists, bringing together more than a hundred Bay Area actors, directors and playwrights. For most if not all of the participating writers, PlayGround is the first professional staging their work has received and serves as their introduction into the professional theatre community.

  During the past ten seasons, PlayGround has produced sixty-two monthly staged readings of original ten-minute plays and completed each season with a fully produced festival celebrating the top emerging writers of the past year. PlayGround's alumni have gone on to win both local and national honors for their short and full-length work, including recognition at the Humana Festival, Sundance Festival, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, the Love Creek/Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival, and The Drama League's New Directors-New Works series. Directors and actors participating in PlayGround are among some of the most distinguished local theatre professionals, regularly working on leading Bay Area stages such as ACT, Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, San Jose Rep, and California Shakespeare Theater, among others.

  The website for Playground is: www.playground-sf.org