EMBRACE LOVE FREE cancer
Embrace Love Free is Justin Sandler’s multimedia, multi-character one-man show that chronicles his journey through a rare and aggressive cancer diagnosis and the radical choice to meet it with love instead of fear. Developed and directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, the show weaves together characters, narration, poetry, live music, and actual video clips from Justin’s real-time experience.
The show made its world debut at the Whitefire Theatre’s SoloFest 2019 to a sold-out crowd, followed by performances at the Santa Monica Binge Fringe Festival and Whitefire SoloFest 2021. What began as a series of vulnerable live videos during treatment has evolved into an unforgettable theatrical experience about healing, transformation, and turning life’s hardest moments into a source of connection and hope
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