EMBRACE LOVE FREE cancer
During cancer, he publicly shared his journey through vulnerable live videos and is now telling his inspirational story through this multi-media, multi-character, one-man show.
Written & performed by Justin Sandler with direction & development by Jessica Lynn Johnson, "EMBRACE LOVE FREE cancer" made its world debut to a sold out crowd in the largest solo theatre festival on the West Coast... Whitefire Theatre's SOLOFEST 2019!
On May 4th, 2017 Justin Sandler's life was forever changed when he was suddenly diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer in the form of a large tumor growing into his heart and lung. Instead of falling into the all-too-familiar victim role, he realized early on that if he was to survive this, he would need to embrace his cancer, give it love, and eventually set it free. He saw the bigger reason for his cancer, as he was now able to share this positive message of overcoming obstacles with as many people as he could. And that message has now become a solo show that includes characters, narration, poetry, musical performances, and actual video clips from his entire experience.
Justin Sandler is a director, actor, drummer, writer, speaker, and cancer survivor. He and wife Mary Lou Sandler own 3 cubed studios, LLC.
A graduate of Indiana University, he has directed and produced cable TV in Chicago; wrote, directed, and produced commercials for ABC & FOX in Palm Springs; and has been in Los Angeles working as a professional TV, film, and commercial actor, as well as a recording and touring musician.
His film, "Welcome to Where You've Always Been" (writer, director, actor, editor, producer) appeared in 21 festivals, won 5 awards (including his award for Best Actor in a Leading Role), and is now available on Shorts TV and Amazon Prime. Justin and Mary Lou are currently developing 2 new documentary films, "Caregiving Cancer: The Silent Heroes" and "MANtimacy."
In addition to his solo show, he is currently writing a book as well as inspirationally speaking about his cancer journey.
www.JustinSandler.com
Jessica Lynn Johnson is a published playwright, recipient of BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST AWARD, Board Member of the LA Women's Theatre Festival, Director for Whitefire Theatre's SOLOFEST, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC. Jessica works as a full time Director & Developer of solo theatre having aided in the development of over 75 solo shows (and still going strong)! As a performer, Jessica has "edu-tained" international audiences touring her own 25 character, one-person shows ZE and OBLIVIOUS TO EVERYONE for over 13 years. Over the years, Jessica's projects have taken home awards such as TOP OF FRINGE, HFF ENCORE PRODUCER AWARDS, TVOLUTION BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE, LARRY CORNWALL AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE & several other accolades! Jessica was most recently nominated Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival. She is honored to be a Guide on this incredible solo journey you are about to see!
www.JessicaLynnJohnson.com