No Square leader is old friend

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

No Square Theatre, Laguna Beach’s only community theater, has

appointed Steve Josephson as the new artistic director.

Founder Bree Burgess Rosen has decided to focus her concentration

on “Lagunatics” a wildly popular theater event, an annual roast of

Laguna Beach.

Josephson is no stranger to No Square Theatre, he has played

various roles and has been an integral part behind the scenes,

directing five show since ’97.

Josephson has been a director, actor, choreographer, dancer, a

playwright and producer. His roots in theater extend around the globe

from Los Angeles to New York and Paris and more.

He lives in Laguna Beach but travels to Los Angeles to work on

projects and looks forward to continuing No Square Theatre’s

momentum.

“Community theater is so important,” Josephson said. “It’s the

essence of theater itself. Children, parents, family and friends

perform alongside veteran performers and those returning to community

roots.”

Rosen said having Josephson take over is the best-case scenario.

“I get to leave this job to someone I really love, Steve,” Rosen

said. “I think it’s a win, win. I can walk away from this job I’m

really not motivated to do. I’ve kind of burned out.”

Rosen explained that the first few years of starting No Square she

did everything from writing the show to taking out the trash, with

only a small group of volunteers to help. She had also just given

birth to her son.

“My passion is community theater,” Rosen said. “When I was looking

for my replacement I was afraid I wouldn’t find someone with my

vision. Of course, it’s my baby and to see it radically different,

see it five years from now and not be able to recognize it, that’s

not what I wanted.”

For the past five weeks, Rosen has been working in tandem with

Josephson. His wife Julie has a theater background and they’ll be

working side by side at No Square Theatre.

DEDICATION TO LILA ZALI

Lila Zali, who has made such a contribution to dance in Southern

California by founding the Laguna Beach Civic Ballet in 1962, which

became the renowned Ballet Pacifica, is being honored posthumously.

I feel lucky that I got to meet her on a couple of occasions and

had the opportunity to talk with her before she passed away last

year. She is an incredible woman, whose stories were so vivid and

exciting that they stuck in my mind. She danced with the Colonel de

basil Ballet Russe, the New York City ballet, the Zurich Ballet, the

San Francisco Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and many other groups

throughouther illustrious career. She also choreographed and worked

with some of Hollywood’s greatest dancers and appeared in many movies

and TV shows.

What I found astounding is that her fondest memories weren’t what

happened on stage; rather, her most treasured moments were fishing

with her husband in Laguna Beach.

The tribute and dedication in her memory will take place at 2:30

p.m. June 8 in the Artists’ Theatre at Laguna Beach High School.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and are available at

the door. For further information, call 494-7271.

DANCE-CENTERED FUN

California Choreographers Dance Festival is having its annual

“Dance Day” June 14. It’s a full day of dance-centered fun with a

class in the morning, followed by performances by Company Chaddick

and Lula of the Washington Dance Theatre. In the afternoon, some more

dance classes will be happening and a post-event party will top it

off.

The modern, ballet and jazz dance classes are at No Square Theatre

studio at 221 Broadway. Performances in the afternoon are a few steps

away on Main Beach. The classes start at 8 a.m. and everything should

end at 8 p.m. The event is free and is paid for by California

Choreographers, the city and Arts Orange County. For information, go

to www.cadancefest.com.

GALLERY MCCOLLUM RECEPTION

Gallery McCollum is having and artist reception for artist Patrick

Tobin from 5 to 9 p.m. June 7. Tobin will be exhibiting new paintings

of La Costa Grande and Laguna Beach. Gallery McCollum is located at

206 N. Coast Highway. To RSVP call 497-4027 or go online to

www.gallerymccollum.com for information.

LAGUNANS TAKE

COUNTY ARTS AWARDS

Laguna Beach residents won Cultural Legacy awards. John Alexander,

artistic director of Pacific Chorale, won the Artistic Visionary

award and Roger Armstrong, who is a visual artist and teacher, won

the Artist Award at the Orange County Arts Awards.

BANNER WINNERS NAMED

Sian Poeschl recently named the winners in the 2003 Banner

Competition. The winners are Keith Swecker, Kate Murphy and Elaine

Hughes. All the new banners are on exhibit at Main Beach Park.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or [email protected].