Plethos’ Performers Seek New Home
Karin Richey, founder of Plethos Productions
While performing at local venues for entertainment, locally owned and non-profit theater company Plethos Productions is looking for a stage to call home. They are currently looking at the former Chalk It Up pool hall building to turn into a live performance hub in Hayward and the surrounding areas.
Inspired by PianoFight in San Francisco, Richey envisions the live performance art location to have a restaurant and bar setting installed for attendees.
“We are targeting downtown Hayward and have been in communication with a particular landlord and the Hayward Economic Development department. They have an invested in live performing arts in downtown Hayward,” said founder Karin Richey of Plethos Productions.
Since 2017, Plethos Productions have performed local productions in the Hayward, Castro Valley and San Leandro region. They also hold stand-up comedy shows at JP’s Restaurant.
When Richey founded Plethos Productions, she recognized that Hayward and the neighboring towns there are not a lot of live performing art theaters in the local communities.
“When I started Plethos, I recognized that between Castro Valley, Hayward and in surrounding cities there is less than one community theater,” said Richey. “I kind of felt like we lived in a black hole when it to theaters, and the ones that did, I felt like could use a new voice. I wanted to be that voice because I feel like we live in a community that is fresh, innovative, and diverse.”
This summer Plethos Productions will host its flagship fundraiser Camp Monologa, a three day and two-night, theater camping retreat for kids and young adults. The camp will feature acting workshops, discussions, and camp activities.
Many of the activities will be led by experienced and well-known artists such as equity actors Dorian Lockett, Kim Donovan, Chabot College theatre professor Dov Hassan, and many more live performers will be attending. Broadway actress Taylor Iman Jones will be attending as a keynote speaker. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge from various topics, from audition techniques to writing comedy sketches.
The camp will offer summer camp nostalgia with catered food, swimming, crafting workshops, and campfire sing-alongs. The retreat aims to foster a sense of camaraderie and community among participants.
All proceeds from Camp Monologa will go to Plethos Productions to help them reach their location in downtown Hayward. For more information on Plethos Productions, visit http://plethos.org/.