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MICHAEL COTEY (Director/Producer) has spent the last six years exploring the role of theater in gun violence prevention. He is the creator and Joaquín Oliver Artistic Producer of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence, a national initiative encouraging teens to write short plays confronting this issue. Michael co-developed Terminal Exhale, a verbatim theatre piece based on interviews with healthcare workers about their experiences with gun violence. He is the executive producer of Rehearsal, a short film adaptation of an ENOUGH! play. Directing credits: Off-Broadway: GUAC at The Public. Select Regional: Woolly Mammoth, Goodman Theatre, Next Act, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Michael is currently the Goodman’s 25/26 Northwestern Directing Fellow, as well as a 25/26 Obama Foundation USA Leader. ENOUGHPLAYS.COM @ENOUGHPLAYSPROJECT
leadership Honorary Chairman: President: Amy R. Forbes Chairperson: William H. Ahmanson Executive Vice President/Treasurer: William R. LindsaY Vice Presidents: Miles Benickes, Jana Bezdek, Cecilia Estolano, Matthew Walden Secretary: Shana C. Waterman
emeritus DIRECTORS Judith Beckmen, Phyllis Hennigan, Richard Kagan, Diane Morton, Edward B. Nahmias, Bruce L. Ross
CENTER THEATRE GROUP, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of the Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director / CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Center Theatre Group is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group has produced more than 700 productions across its stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America; The Kentucky Cycle; Biloxi Blues; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CenterTheatreGroup.org
JUSTINE BURKE (*) (Lighting Designer) is a New York City-based lighting and scenic designer. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked as the resident lighting designer for the Lexington Children’s Theatre before pursuing an MFA from Northwestern University. She is incredibly honored to be a part of GUAC’s story and would like to thank Manny, Patricia, and Michael. Let’s Change the Ref! GROVER HOLLWAY (Sound Designer) is a Jeff Award-winning sound designer and licensed mental health counselor. His designs have been presented at theaters throughout the Midwest region, including The House Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Adventure Stage Chicago, Third Avenue Playworks, Actors Gymnasium, and Next Act Theatre.
Visit changetheref.org or follow @changetheref
TALYA CAMRAS (Stage Manager) At CTG: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Production Assistant). Elsewhere: The Importance of Being Earnest, Nora, The Tempest, Measure for Measure (Antaeus), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (A Noise Within), Sound of Music, Ragtime (5-Star Theatricals), RENT (Coeurage Ensemble) The Merry Wives of Windsor (Kingsmen Shakespeare), Shrek, Mamma Mia!, SpongeBob Musical, Romeo and Juliet (Milken), columbinus (KCACTF), Uncovered, Family Matters (Braid), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatricum Botanicum). Talya is grateful to be part of this amazing team.
3.Marsha SUPPORT THESallai, MISSION! Tauber Bonnie Vitti, Kim McLane Post on social media and tag us: @changetheref @ctgla
1. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!
4. FILL THE HOUSE! guactheplay.com
2. LEARN MORE!
Here are four impactful ways to take action and support Joaquín’s mission before you leave the theatre:
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
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Scan the QR code and send the link to 5 people who MUST see GUAC
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For more info about Change The Ref
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Justin Kelley Cahill (Associate Lighting Designer) is a California based theatrical designer originally from Alameda, CA, and a proud graduate of UCLA (Go Bruins!). Passionate about innovative storytelling, he seeks to illuminate the beauty of our differences through his work. He wants to thank to his two dads, his brother, and his friends for their all of their support. Much love to you all. Justin is honored to return to the Kirk Douglas Theatre for GUAC and its powerful message about standing up for gun reform and the boundless strength of love. Recent design credits include Dial M for Murder (CityLights), Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, Of Mice and Men (Sierra Rep), Otherkin (The Road Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (SCP), Pacific Overtures (Kunoichi Productions), Electric, I (Theatre of NOTE). Associate design: GUAC (Center Theatre Group). Justink.c.designs | Justinkelley-cahill.com
Donate or buyRichard merch in the lobby: Wardlaw, Weitz, Hattie Winston changetheref.org/donate
JAMES CLEMENTS (Co-Writer) is a Scottish writer, actor, theatermaker, and arts educator based between New York and Scotland. His plays, which have been performed in cities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have been described by critics as “searing” (New York Times), “magnifying” (Time Out), “intricate” (BroadwayWorld), “compelling” (The Guardian), “affecting” (Playbill), and “intellectual” (Theatre is Easy). He is the Co-Artistic Director of What Will the Neighbours Say? Theatre Company, an Adjunct at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and Artist-in-Residence with the Espacio de Culturas. JAMES CLEMENTS.COM
APRIL 28 - MAY 17, 2026 KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE, CULVER CITY WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MANUEL OLIVER CO-WRITTEN BY JAMES CLEMENTS • DIRECTED BY MICHAEL COTEY A CHANGE THE REF PRODUCTION • PRODUCER: MICHAEL COTEY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: PATRICIA OLIVER
MANUEL OLIVER (Writer/Performer) Oliver’s 17-year-old son, Joaquín, was tragically killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. In response, he and his wife, Patricia, founded the nonprofit advocacy group Change the Ref, which aims to empower young leaders to end gun violence in America. Oliver is an artist, creative director, and a recognized mentor in the advertising industry. He is also a global activist and international speaker. Together, the Olivers have partnered with politicians, musicians, influencers, and communities in their quest to find a new approach to America’s gun violence epidemic. @manueloliver00
members of the board Harry Abrams, Jonathan Axel, GAIL BERMAN MASTERS, BETSY BORNS, Diana Buckhantz, Dannielle Campos Ramirez, Wendy Chang, Stephen Cheung, Jill Chozen, SARAH CLOSSEY, CHRISTINE CRONIN HURST, Nancy Dennis, Snehal Desai, Sutton Foster, Noah Francis, Gary Frischling, Ron Gillyard, Patricia Glaser, Manuela Cerri Goren, Robert Greenblatt, Jason Grode, Aliza Karney Guren, Stanley Iezman, Paul James, Jennifer Lewis, Justin Mikita, Rick Miramontez, Louise Moriarty, Kari Nakama, Jeanne Newman, Jamie Patricof, Karla Pita Loor, Meghan Pressman, Kristine Louis Reynal, Edward Ring, Laura Rosenwald, Scott Sandler, Elliott Sernel, Jay P. Srinivasan, Sandra Stern, Tom Safran, Marsha Tauber Sallai, Gina Torres, Bonnie Vitti, Rob Wade, Kim McLane Wardlaw, Richard Weitz, Hattie Winston
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ENOUGH! PLAYS TO END GUN VIOLENCE calls on teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theater that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country. Its mission is to promote playwriting as a tool for self-expression and social change, harnessing this generation’s spirit of activism, and providing a platform for America’s playwrights of tomorrow to discover and develop their voices today enoughplays.com, @enoughplaysproject
a note from the artistic director On February 14, 2018, our country lost 17 bright lives in the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Among them was Joaquín Oliver— “Guac” to his family and friends. Joaquín wasn’t just a name in the news or part of a devastating statistic. He was a son, a best friend, and a young man who filled 17 years with love, laughter, and dreams. GUAC is not only the story of what happened that day–it’s a celebration of Joaquín’s life and the bond between him and his father, Manny, who now carries forward his son’s story with strength and love. I wish I could say that GUAC feels like a story from the past. I wish this play weren’t as urgent as it feels today. But the truth is, gun violence in our schools and communities continues every day. Since 2018, there have been nearly 400 school shootings in the United States, claiming more than 200 lives. Just this year, we’ve witnessed tragedy after tragedy, not only in schools, but also churches, college campuses, parks, and other public spaces. Gun violence—especially against our young people—is not inevitable. It is preventable. And it’s something we cannot accept as the cost of growing up in this country. What makes GUAC so extraordinary is that it doesn’t just confront loss—it invites us to feel: to laugh, to grieve, and to act. My hope is that tonight not only honors Joaquín’s life, but also sparks conversation, healing, and the determination to create change. I am deeply grateful to Manny and his wife Patricia, Joaquín’s mom, for sharing their story with us, and to you for being here to witness it. I also want to say thank you to CTG board member Aliza Karney Guren and Marc Guren whose generous support made this special return engagement possible. Through this play, Joaquín’s voice continues to be heard. We dedicate this Los Angeles run of GUAC to him—with love, remembrance, and the resolve to do better.
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center theatre group PRESENTS
Written and Performed by Manuel Oliver Co-Written by James Clements Directed by Michael Cotey
` “That aat dday, aay, I pro promised mised Joaquin from my heart, that a this at will not be in va vvain.” in.”
A Change the Ref Production Executive Producer: Patricia Oliver Producer: Michael Cotey
Patricia Oliver, Guac’s’’s Mom
Lighting Design: Justine Burke (*) Sound Design: Grover Hollway GUAC was developed as GUAC: My Son My Hero under the original direction of James Clements. Generous production support provided by Aliza and Marc Guren.
PRODUCTION STAFF Artistic Programs Manager: Paige Vehlewald Stage Manager: Talya Camras Stage Supervisor: Alejandra Sofia Gonzalez & Bene't BeNton A1/Audio Head: Matthew Colleran Associate Lighting Designer: justin kelley cahill Light Board Operator: provided by preston productions KDT Wardrobe Supervisor: taylor decker Associate Production Manager: Lesley Gonzalez Technical Director: Isaac Katzanek Production Supervisor: Cambria Chichi General Manager: Nausica Stergiou General Manager, Presentations: ERIC SIMS Associate General Manager: Katie Soff Company Manager: Kiara Bryant Assistant Company Manager: Taylor Anne Cullen KDT Manager: Chase Anderson Shaw Shop Director: Merrianne Nedreberg Shop Supervisor: Raul Vega Martinez
Associate Prop Director: Eric Babb Associate Prop Director: Kate Reinlib Prop Apprentice: Robert Lara Assistant House Managers: Brad Barnes, Eric Eberle, Kiley Haugen, Karla Lopez, Joyce Robinson, Eric Solis Ushers: Kenesha Asiedu, Noemi Avalos Vargas, Marlon Campos, Kai Dorsey, Maggie Franckhauser, Elijah Green, James Hodges, Henry KellY, Kat Kelly, Pat Loeb, Ryan Madariaga, Chelsey Maus, Lucy McNulty, Aviva Miller, Ian Mitchell, Gabby Montejo, Caitlin O'Brien, August O'Neal Petterson, Rachel Peralta, Karl Perry, Camille Reyes, Ian Riley, Jivani Rodriguez, Giada San Jose, Hallie Stickley, Malcolm Tucker, Angel Villalobos, Juice Wood Assistant Concessions Manager: Sondra Mayer Concessions Staff: Bair Brown, Stephanie Cheng, Monica Greene, Mike Lanahan, Stephen Lydic, Amelia Mackey, Li Stebner
You can be an integral part of bringing timely productions like GUAC to our stages. It's as easy as scanning this QR code now to make a gift in support of Center Theatre Group!
Stay. Look closer. Don’t walk away. Before you leave, take a moment to step inside and experience Demand… An exhibition about creativity and unconventional action against gun violence.
Sincerely,
Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director
` ‘”GUAC”’ OLIVER On the morning of Valentine’s Day, he walked into school with flowers and a JOAQUIN plan for a date with his girlfriend. He was a supportive brother, a thoughtful friend, and a beloved son known for his loyalty and sense of humor. He was a brilliant writer, authoring beautiful love poems and thought-provoking short stories, always proud of his Venezuelan heritage, basketball court skills, and diverse musical taste. His legacy becomes an extension of his life and a powerful tool for activism against gun violence.
(*) Labor union and professional association of Designers, Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators, organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for entertainment and decorative arts industries.
On view in the lobby.