“White Space”, a song prism by Korrie Yamaoka, explores the avatars of a creative mother’s mind as she struggles to return to her full artistic life under the demands of a new parent’s schedule. Korrie Yamaoka has described the title “White Space” as the precious white spaces on the calendar, unfilled by time, where there was an hour for composing or singing or even just thinking about anything beyond the banal.

Starring Sasha Weiss, Faith Carrion, and Korrie Yamaoka, this piece for three women first premiered with Riot at the New Village Arts Next Family White Stage to sold out audiences with a live orchestra.

“Cats Can’t Eat Yarn” has been a favorite and foundational piece for Riot. Originally conceived by critically acclaimed Chilean-American playwright Carla Navarro as five short ten minute plays, the pieces are each two actor duets featuring women in all their flaws and failings: a married lesbian couple face their fears about how their relationship will change when the baby arrives; a mother and daughter navigate the difficulties around caring for an aging parent when the relationship is already toxic; a daughter and her estranged father figure out how to coexist after the death of the mother; two sisters struggle to survive addiction. The titular piece, “Cats Can’t Eat Yarn” is an original piece written especially for the Riot festival of Carla Navarro’s plays, exploring the experiences of a Chilean immigrant cafe owner as she remembers the fall of Santiago and her time as a rebel member of the Chilean youth.

“Cats Can’t Eat Yarn” first premiered in August 2023 at the Riford Library as a staged reading, followed by a full production at the City Heights Performance Annex in March 2024 for International Women’s Month. Anyelid Meneses, originator of the “Cats Can’t Eat Yarn” monologue, would reprise her role in 2025’s “Fiel a Mi Misma.”

Playwright Carla Navarro is a recipient of the William Male Foundation Fellowship for 2025.

“East County Star”, a co-production between Riot and Sing With Chrissy Studios, was first held at the Monte Vista High School Performing Arts Center in April 2024. Three divisions were celebrated, middle school, high school, and post high school, to support East County San Diego singers of all ages. Judges included BJ Robinson, Taylor Smith, Chris Bona, Eboni Muse, and Carjanae Evans, with Emcee Tiffie Starchild.

“Audition Sides” by Sarah Alida LeClair premiered May 2024 at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, where it won the Outstanding World Premiere. Starring Jason Schlarmann, Josalyn Johnson and Sarah LeClair, it was the directorial debut for Kay Marian McNellan and technicall directed and stage managed by Martie Clark.

Sarah LeClair is a recipient of the William Male Foundation fellowship for 2024 and 2025 for playwriting and producing.