In STRAIGHT PLAY, no one is straight and everyone is queer. Los Angeles-based director, singer, and playwright Gina Young flips the quintessential heteronormative beach blanket musical formula to unveil deeper messages around gender and sexuality.

The fire poppy is a rare wildflower that grows in burn scars.
We know it isn’t over. If you are a fire-impacted artist in need of resourcing, LAPP is here for you.
Los Angeles Performance Practice announces BRIDGE THE GAPS, an emergency initiative supporting artists and arts workers impacted by the devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles. Designed with feedback from nearly 200 local artists through LAPP’s “Are You Okay?” survey, this initiative directly addresses the critical needs and funding gaps experienced by our creative community, with special consideration for performing artists.
BRIDGE THE GAPS (BtG) consists of two complementary components:
- BtG_FUND (Immediate Financial Relief): BtG_FUND distributes $1,250 microgrants biweekly to provide rapid financial assistance directly to impacted artists. These grants help cover essential costs including housing, rent, medical expenses, childcare, lost wages, replacement of lost or damaged equipment, instruments, supplies, and artistic materials. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated, and early application is strongly encouraged.
- BtG_NEST (Fully Subsidized Creative Residencies): BtG_NEST is a residency program made possible in part with support from Art of Recovery, an initiative of the city of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. This residency offers subsidized creative space, mentorship, and technical support at the Miles Memorial Playhouse. BtG_NEST offers flexible use of the space and professional development opportunities, tailored to support fire-impacted artists as they rebuild their creative practices and develop new work. Residencies will be scheduled between May and July 2025.
To Apply
Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until June 6. Applying early is highly encouraged.
INFORMATION + APPLICATION SUPPORT
LAPP will host a Virtual Information Session on Zoom, Thursday May 22nd 2025, from 6PM-7PM PST. This session will include an application overview, eligibility criteria, Q+A opportunities, and personalized application support.
Community Fundraising
Want to support? BRIDGE THE GAPS was made possible thanks to an initial $50,000 grant from one of our generous partners, and we are now actively raising additional community contributions to expand the reach of this critical relief. Your support directly enables us to provide urgent financial assistance to more L.A.-based artists, with an emphasis on artists that larger relief programs might overlook. To donate, give here.
Contact Information for Artists
For questions or assistance related to BRIDGE THE GAPS:
- Email: relief@performancepractice.org
- Text: (909) 242-8453 (Se ofrece ayuda en español)
We encourage all eligible artists to apply, and for everyone in our network to share this opportunity widely, and contribute toward strengthening and revitalizing L.A.’s vibrant artistic community.
BRIDGE THE GAPS: Wildfire Relief for L.A. Artists is an initiative of Los Angeles Performance Practice. BTG_FUND provides micro-grants to fire-impacted artists and is made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor with additional support from individual contributors. Donate here. BtG_NEST is a residency program made possible in part with support from Art of Recovery, an initiative of the city of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. This residency offers subsidized creative space, mentorship, and technical support at the Miles Memorial Playhouse.
Odeya Nini is a Los Angeles-based vocalist dedicated to the exploration of voice and its relationship with space, body, and mind. In A Solo Voice, Nini showcases how the natural resonance and energy of the environment react to her vocal instrument. I was able to chat to Nini over the phone about this project and its evolution since its creation ten years ago.
We are thrilled to bring back our annual festival November 4-14, 2021, after the industry-wide shut down in 2020. This year’s producing and curatorial team, including Miranda Wright, Patricia Garza, and Jessica Hanna, have created a gentle re-entry for Los Angeles contemporary performance. All performances to be held at FRANKIE on Mission Road.
MULTICHANNEL_CHATROOM is a transmedia duet which follows the story of two performers searching for modes of presence and connection while taking a DIY or lo-fi approach to repurposing and reconstructing the conditions, materials, and space of self and reality.
Xiaoyue Zhang’s R+D Residency project uses studies on transgenerational trauma and Chinese Medicine Psychology-a study on the interrelationship between body and mind rooted in ancient Chinese medicine philosophy-as theoretical supports and inspirations.
In her self-guided Research + Development Residency, Lollie picked up her movement practice outdoors, both solo and with dance artists Stephanie Zaletel and Jordan Saenz. Walks, hikes and dancing in the park were part of Lollie’s weekly process as she learned more about how Wind moves, speaks and supports the birds around her.