Premiere Stages launches their 14th Annual Spring Reading Series this week. The readings are directed by John J. Wooten, Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages and Jessi D. Hill, Literary Team Chair for Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. Admission to all readings is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Premiere Stages received a record 572 submissions for the festival. This an annual competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to playwrights with strong affiliations to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The 572 submissions marked a 43% jump from 2017, and represented playwrights of all backgrounds and ages. For the first time in the festival’s 14-year history, three of the four finalist scripts selected were requested from synopses submitted by playwrights.
The four finalists will be considered for expanded development in Premiere’s mainstage season. One of the four plays will be selected for an Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) 29-Hour Reading in June, and the most promising play will be awarded a full AEA production as part of Premiere’s 2018 season. All finalists receive cash awards ranging from $750 to $2,500.
The four plays which will be read are:
Linger by Criag Garcia
Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Private by Mona Pirnot
Friday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Baton by Deneen Reynolds-Knott
Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m.
No Candy by Emma Stanton
Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Readings are in Zella Fry Theatre in Vaughn Eames Hall on the Kean University campus, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.
For more information or to register, visit the Premiere Stages website.