No Square names new managing director

Tom Titus

The No Square Theater, Laguna Beach’s community theater operation,

has a new managing director who’s hardly a newcomer in Laguna.

Suzanne Lilly, who recently celebrated her second anniversary as

administrative manager of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, was

chosen to direct the business end of show business for the No Square

players.

And she’s not giving up her day job, either. Lilly will continue

at the chamber in a part-time capacity while pursuing her artistic

endeavor.

“She’s just what we need and we’re setting her up in our new

rehearsal studio on Coast,” said founding board member Adam Hemming,

referring to the former ballet studio at 1863 S. Coast Highway.

No Square secured a lease and moved into the former home of the

Laguna Ballet and Ballet Pacifica after it was sold by the estate of

the late Lila Zali.

“I am so looking forward to working alongside No Square’s founder

and guiding light, Bree Burgess Rosen, as well as the recently

appointed board president, Lloyd Charton, and board members Sande St.

John, Beverly Tupy, Rose Hancock, Adam Hemming and Jon Cobain,” Lilly

said.

“They are committed to growing No Square Theater into a thriving

center of community involvement and education in the performing

arts,” she added. “This is the beginning of an incredible journey.”

While the performance segment of No Square’s 2003-04 season has

wound down, the community group will be busy this weekend. The group

will be represented on the Festival of Arts grounds Saturday from 2

to 3 p.m. by talented young cast members from previous productions.

“We’ll also have members of our youth theater company, the Square

Roots, perform selections from their recent hit, ‘Little Shop of

Horrors,’” Rosen noted.

Next up for the No Square Theater is the summer musical, “Babes in

Arms” by Rodgers and Hart. Auditions will be held by appointment June

4 and 5, with Rosen directing and Hemming as musical director.

Choreography will be by Linda Haylett and her daughter, Vanessa

Schneller. Tryouts are June 4 from 5 to 9 p.m., adults only from 5 to

6 p.m. and June 5 from 2 to 6 p.m.

The No Square Theater, in addition to putting on five productions

annually, is known for its performing arts workshops, scholarships

and outreach programs, including open mike nights, Local Vocals and

Broadway Maybes. They’ll be performing Monday in the Senior Center at

Laguna’s Legion Hall.

For more information on this active Laguna community theater

group, call (949) 497-1950.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.