Changing the Narrative 4- Tree by Isabella Saeedy

Connectopod reporter Isabella Saeedy lost her battle with cancer this past summer at 17. She never told any of us about her illness and her dynamo energy gave us no clues. She led her team on the Connectopod/Los Angeles Public Library/CSUN Strength United collaboration -The Domestic Violence Awareness Project, which culminated in a published graphic novel and three podcasts.    

She wrote the screenplay-Tree. We thought the best way to honor Isabella was to celebrate her talents and her energetic will to create in the service of making the world a better place. 

 

In this fast-paced screenplay with a cast of quirky characters, Catherine, an environmental studies major at Columbia battles power, money, and hypocrisy to save the life of a neglected tree in Central Park who is slated to be cut down. All while struggling to finish her dissertation in time to graduate.

Isabella imagined a college experience that she would never get to have. This production has three elements that we hoped would add to the imagined college experience for Isabella. 

Our group here includes Connectopod peers, professional actors and audio producers,  a professional director who is also a USC professor,  and some of his students. 

We thought about this project as a gift to Isabella's memory and to her family.  But in the end, it was her gift to us. 

So thank you, Isabella.

 Rest in peace.

 

Cast- Andrea Sogliuzzo (Tree), Lexy Cavinchey (Catherine), Trevor VanAuken (Matteo), Bob Bailey (Dr. Ankel)  Betsy Foldes Meiman (Michelle, Elder tree, stage directions), Christopher Geutig (Hamza), Allen Keller (Clarence, Jorge, Janitor), Anjelica Benitez (Thea, Woman, Tree 4), Victoria Benitez (Nanny, Jess, Tree 3), Ixchel Lopez (Toddler, Cashier, Demolition Worker, Tree 5), Rowan Bailey (Moto the Bird, Woman 1), Karina (Bad Girl, Jogger, Woman), Andrea Lopez (Mom)

We recorded at Literati Audio with the sound engineer John Kavorek

The production was directed by Robert Bailey and produced by 

Betsy Foldes Meiman.  

Post-production and sound design were done by Joe Foldes.  

Changing the Narrative is funded by The California Arts Council