Step 3 of The PG Evolution: First Reads Festival
The First Reads Festival is a marathon of readings of full plays written by our playwrights and selected to be a part of The PG Evolution development process. Scenes from these plays have been featured throughout the Volumes. Prior to this table read all the plays were a part of Required Reading and now we are presenting them to be heard for the first time in full.
Actors from our casting pool have been cast and will sit around a table and read the plays for the benefit of the playwright. The audience will be invited to observe this process and be an active participant by filling out The PG Evolution Play Analysis Questionnaire to help the playwright continue to develop their work.
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #24
march 16, 2024
LEAVING KRESTOVA
BY JENNY CRAKES
“I’m asking you to come now, so that maybe we can both tear down the fence.”
One icy night in 1955 changed everything for Tara – her idealized worldview, her village in rural British Columbia, and most of all her best friend Irina.
A generation later, she’s more uncertain, more stuck, and more alone than ever. Can reconnecting a family help her heal the scars of that night?
Featuring: Catherine Overfelt, Claire Shiell, Courtney Megaro, Erin Moughon, Gil Torres, Kirsten Hopkins, Leslie C. Nemet, Miranda Reilly, Rick Taylor-Rivera
UNFAMILIAR: A MAIDSTONE TALE
BY DAVID CECI
A flickering candle. A knock at the door. Another light snuffed out. Memories and spirits lurk after dark, and in the Hamptons of the 1950s, Anne must contend with 300 years of such things. After all this time, Anne yearns for something more, but what happens next is unfamiliar even to her.
Featuring: Alexandra Bonesho, Caitlin Belforti, Marina Barry, Ursula Anderman
EL EXORCISMO DE GEORIE GARCIA
BY PETER PASCO
The first rule of Catholicism is you CAN’T quit Catholicism. The second rule of Catholicism is you CAN’T QUIT Catholicism. The third rule- ¡Ya tu sabes! Sadly, nine year old Georgie Garcia is going to learn this the hard way as he embarks on a quest to quit Catholicism. Geeez-us!
Featuring: Anjali Khurana, Anthony Rutowicz, Daniel Penilla, Julie Lippert, Maria Isabella Rojas, Maria Peyramaure, Matt Orduña, Orlando Rodriguez
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #23
October 21, 2023
FORBEARANCE BY AL MONACO
Patient
pa· tient ˈpā-shənt
noun : an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment
adjective: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
Can an Olympic-bound gymnast stick the landing despite the chalky aftermath of the unthinkable? This play is written by a survivor for survivors.
Featuring: Artemis Zara Gultekin, Brad Makarowski, Claire Shiell, Evan Edwards, Paeton Chavis, Sandra Parris
THREE SISTERS: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE POSTMODERNISM BY ERIC MEAD
Meet Bella, an aspiring playwright in the big city. Bella’s having a moment, so let’s try to keep up. She’s got it all: intelligence, passion, charm, and a predilection for theatrical fugue states. Audience members can expect existential discomfort, romantic depression, and general disorientation.
Featuring: Christopher Rothbauer, Diana Cherkas, Kristina Auten, Matthew Menendez, Miranda Reilly, Zach Lusk
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #22
july 8, 2023
In the Time of the Apocalypse by Kendra Augustin
Thank you for choosing Radio Classique - the only easy listening French station in the southeastern United States. We are in the now! The climate - changing - burning alive now! But, there's also elephant shit, deadly hot air balloons , a Stromae song -- this isn't the 1940s after all, a sister who runs away, and a sister who stays. Be surreal with us in this moment and die later.
Featuring: Christopher Regent, Courtney Lee Black, David Michael Kirby, Natalie Jacobs, Paeton Chavis, Priyanka Krishnan
Pack Mentality: Unpacking the Gay Animal by Justin P. Lopez
Aaron, darling, release that shame. Transcend! You’re in the jungle… Where you can be gay as f*ck and find cute otters, sexy gym bunnies, or whatever gay animals you’re into, mmm! …What’s that? Your hands are becoming talons? Oh, don’t worry about that! We’ll discuss it later.
Featuring: Ariel Estrada, Artemis Zara Gültekin, Danny Borba, Eduardo Soria, Flower Estefana Rios, Ja'Michael De'Shawn, Lucas Hernandez
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #21
March 11, 2023
LUCY/BLUEBEARD BY ED LEVY
A Musical! A Horror Thriller!
Lucy v. Bluebeard the Serial Killer!
Her Blood is Red.
His Beard is Blue.
A Corpse Quartet
Toots the Kazoo.
Who shall Fail and who Prevail
In this Grisly Fairy Tale?
featuring: Colleen Gold, Eric Mead, Helene Galek, Liz Days, Marta Rymer, Paeton Chavis
THE MEETING BY ERIN MOUGHON
(Sat. 10-11:30 a.m, Rec Room A) Childfree and feeling judged? You’re not alone! Come commiserate. Coffee, crullers, and Kleenex provided. All women welcome. New members eagerly accepted. (Except you, Lynn. Just let me have this one thing!)
featuring: Alexandra De Suze, Caitlin Belforti, Jasmine Spiess, Kirsten Hopkins, Maria Isabella Rojas, Marina Barry, Priyanka Krishnan, Tracy Rosten, Veronica Dang
BURRITOS PA MORIR BY ORLANDO RODRIGUEZ
¡Pásele a los burritos!
Freshly made tortillas!
Homemade salsa!
Meat that is to KILL for!
Gordo, you mean DIE for.
Yes! Gracias, amor.
Running a small business is MURDER!
Especially with that chain Serrano’s butchering our culture right next door.
¡Enserio! Next week’s special: ¡Burritos de nalga gentrificada!
featuring: Catherine Overfelt, Giordano Cruz, Jose Pereyra, Lluvia Almanza, Ollie Corchado, Taylor Hilt Mitchell
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #20
September 10, 2022
The Golden Ass: A Tale of Beautiful Idiots by Bug Johnson
featuring: Alexandra de Suze, Christa Rapaglia, Claire Shiell, Max Raymond, Meleza S. Morris, Rafa Perez, Yz Jasa
Psyche is like really pretty and Venus is like totally jealous.Like cause a plague jealous. Obvi. But like Psyche totally deserves this. Right? Will she realize her stupidly hot bod is the real curse or like maybe puppet theatre, interpretive dance, and bloody burlesque could teach us all a lil somethin’ about self worth...
Save Me, Tony Robbins by Denisse Estefany Mendoza Valdez
featuring: Al Monaco, Julia Botero, Klarissa Robles, LLuvia Almanza, Michael Newman, Paeton Chavis, Peter Pasco, Zuleyma Guevara
I, Tony Robbins, know the secret to happiness. So drop your noose and $5,000, and start living Tonyfully.
CLICK LINK TO ENTER CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. DISCLAIMER LETTER OF NON RESPONSIBILITY: Tony Robbins is not responsible for suicide, depression, religion, sexual harrassment, happy groups of people praising his genius, or Mexicans.
The Siege by Eric Mead
featuring: Beth Devlin, Brad Makarowski, Brandon Weber, Emma Shafer, Josh Browner, Justin P. Lopez, Kyle Minshew, Maria Isabella Rojas, Niall Estefan Martinez Ridgely
Gird thyself (and thy loins) for plots within plots, schemes within schemes, palace intrigue & sexual politics in this troubled land of Ipsphalia.
Flagons of mead and wine will be served - drink to every lordish, ladyish, nunish, or knightish who meets a grizzly end by stabbing, arrowing, poisoning, crucifying, or droppings from perilous heights.
Survivors will be rewarded with extra rations of fish and cheese.
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #19:
July 9,2022
First Interview by Darpan Joshi
Rina and Mr B have the same problems as most other soulmates - communication, feelings, and being stuck in a forever with a mystical therapist who will not let them leave until they...
featuring: Anjali Khurana, Catherine Overfelt, Meera Narasimhan, Vandit Bhatt
Earth 3021, Phase 1: Tears of the AnthroSim by Andi Lee Carter
Humans have long been replaced by machines, but what about humanity? In this harsh apocalyptic future, a ragtag crew of robots face an onslaught of cyborgs, flying monsters, and...their own emotions.
featuring: Alexandra de Suze, Arthur Gregory Pugh, Brandon Weber, Bug Johnson, Flower Rios, Max Raymond
Agriculture by Ruthie Rado
Hey girl! You GOTTA join us on The Farm. I mean, yes, we’re a tight-knit group with a common goal. But nothing weird, you’re not stuck here. We're not a cult, we're a nonprofit! XOXO
A dark comedy about Toxic Farmininity.
Content Warning for sexual language and violence.
featuring: Caitlin Belforti, Christine Redhead, Daniela Thome, Emma Shafer, Emmy Kuperschmid, Jonathan Wong Frye, Natalie Neckyfarow, Nick Duckworth, Veronica Dang
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #18:
March 12, 2022
One Woman Show by Natalie Neckyfarow
Featuring: Helene Galek, Jayson Kerr, Melissa Roth, Sara Parcesepe, Stage Directions-Catherine Overfelt
Brilliant ensemble? Check. A glorious deluge of theatricality? Check. A sympathetic audience? Only time will tell.
Gaysian by M.A. Garner-Santos
Featuring: Joey Ledonia, Danny Garrity, Peter Macklin, Roy Flores, Jay Paranada, Stage Directions- Alexandra Kumala
OMG WTF SMFH What do you get when you’re caught in the crosshairs of the Hell’s Kitchen dating scene during the passions of a pandemic? Brunch, dick, and fighting the White supremacy one Rice Queen at a time. #gaysian #nyc #ftw
A Thousand Natural Shocks by Jacob Marx Rice
Featuring: Akyiaa Wilson, Stacey Raymond, Renee-Michele Brunet, Diana Cherkas, Jennifer Tsay, Stage Directions- Maria Isabella Rojas
Kennedy is doing okay! Her depression is under control, she's got a stable job, and her wife adores her. But when the couple decides to make a baby, they must navigate the chaos of IVF, the inevitability of pain, and the Tik-Tok teen crashing on their couch.
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #17:
October 23, 2021
Dragged Through THe Mud by Mike Lesser
Featuring: Anjali Kharuna, Chris Rothbauer, Diana Cherkas, Jayson Kerr, M.A. Garner
Drag, family, journalism, politics and murder!!! Well, only murder cuz these queens are killing it. Welcome to Club D’llusion where Cora wants to fix everyone, Mitch needs to fix everything, Andrea didn’t know she was broken, and Foine Chyna is trying to fix her wonky eyelash. So pull out the coins cause these dolls are gonna bring the drama mama and if you don’t tip …you might just get dragged through the mud.
Gertrude by Erin Moughon
Featuring: Andi Lee Carter, Brandon Weber, Caitlin Belforti, Kendra Augustin, Mandy Murphy, Marina Barry, Paeton Chavis, Pete Casanave, Spencer Aste
Gertrude is trapped in Hamlet. Yes. That Hamlet. She must repeat her final days, never veering from the script. Until-- Gertrude is trapped in Hamlet. Yes. That Hamlet. She must repeat her final days, never veering from the script. Until n-- Gertrude is trapped in Hamlet. Yes. That Gertrude. She must repeat her final days, sticking to the script. Until no-- Gertrude is…
Angustias by Orlando Rodriguez
Featuring: Alessandra Almanza, Antonio Miniño, Daniela Thome, Jose Pereya, Lluvia Almanza, Maria Isabella Rojas, Ollie Corchado, Richard Taylor
In the outskirts of Parral, Chihuahua sits a beautiful two-story house, dressed with an ornate recliner, and the painting of the home’s patriarch. The little one whispers “¿Porqué me abandonaste?” Her mother cries “¡Justicia!” Thirty years later, the house is full of their anguish…
As Antonio crosses the threshold, will he ever be the same again?
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #16:
July 31, 2021
DEATH COMES FOR EVERY MAN, OR DOES IT?
BY PETE CASANAVE
Featuring: Bryn Packard, Catherine Overfelt, Christopher Buchanan, Denise Lock, Jasmine Spiess, Maria Isabella Rojas, Matthew Menendez, Perryn Pomatto
Emmanuel Good is a technocrat who makes robots that destroy working class jobs using Artificial Intelligence that destroys the middle class. With the counsel of his trusted fixers, lawyer Lillith Satin and HR guru Robert "Rob" Job he compounds his billions by buying banks, insurance and other financial institutions. Can these three who have conquered so much, conquer death too?
HONEYBEES BY KIRSTEN HOPKINS
Featuring: Eric Mead, Jenny Green, Justin P. Lopez, Melissa Roth, Nicole Orabona
Our Queen is sex-obsessed The worker over-works A drone is trying to spread the word That nearby, danger lurks!
Our colony’s collapsing! We must all save the hive! Bee bold, bee brave, bee different So we can stay alive!
Daffy, dancing bees go stinger to stinger in this play of peril, pollen & puppets.
THE MESQUITE TREE BY DAVID DAVILA
Featuring: Alejandra Wagnon, Alexandra Castro, Daniela Thome, Franky Gonzalez, Julia Botero, Monica Rey, Tamarah Tucker
With a little bit of masa and some leftover meat, a single mother can make enough tamales to feed her family for an entire month; but Blanca wants more for her granddaughter than to be pregnant at fifteen and stuck in a small house in South Texas with five generations of her abuelas. Can she change her family’s destiny before there’s another mouth to feed?
FIRST READS FESTIVAL #15:
MAY 21-22, 2021
GOODBYE LITTLE GEORGE BY FERNANDO VIEIRA
Featuring: Dan Domingues, Diego Lanao, Jesus Pedroza-Moreno, Maga Uzo, La Gran Ishalaa, Marie Elèna O'Brien, Peter Pasco
Bette, a transgender dancer during the post-disco era of New York City, is living the life that she always wanted, yet her unwillingness to come to terms with her painful past has kept her broken. What can she do to heal her soul? Is it truly possible to forgive?
CITRUS BLUES BY MAC RAYMOND
Featuring: Bryn Packard, Bug Johnson, Caitlin Belforti, Evan Edwards, Flower Rios, Ivory Bennett, Khalid Rivera, Vincent Marcello
So it's like, this trio of Gen Z teens pass the time at a video rental store all pressed over movies and moral dilemmas and shit, while they, like... navigate a future beyond, like, the safety net of nostalgia? Kind of a slice of life piece about the inevitability of moving forward — in life and video formats. Lol. Age of streaming who?
21 CENTURY HUGS BY ROBIN L. DIMENSION
Featuring: Danny Bolero, Joy Jacobs, Matthew Menendez, Shauntay Williams, Taylor Hilt Mitchell
In a future world where touch was criminalized, Judith, a recovering nymphomaniac, is commander at the Hugs Health Center. Sadly, today at the Jersey Mall, she is thrown into a turmoil, dealing with lovers, guns and vibrators, all without her Very Berry Smoothie!
THE DUCHESS OF DYFFRYN
A NEW MUSICAL BY DAVID CECI
Featuring: Angela Hsu, Catherine Overfelt, Chris Rothbauer, David Michael Kirby, Jasmine Spiess, Kirsten Hopkins, Perryn Pomatto, Priyanka Krishnan, Roy Flores, Wayne Miller
London. 1967. The epicenter of new music, fashion, media, and art. What young woman wouldn't want to experience that? Alas, Blodwyn lives in the tiny Welsh village of Dyffryn, and this old place with even older ideas of how things are done is suddenly in danger of disappearing. Follow one woman’s journey as she navigates between leaving the past behind and trying to save it in this toe-tapping new musical.
First Reads Festival #14:
March 12-13, 2021
ON ANY GIVEN DAY IN AMERICA… BY JASMINE SPIESS
Featuring: Alexandra Bonesho, Drew Jordan, Jayson Kerr, Jonathan Wong Frye, Kirsten Hopkins, Monica Rounds, Natalie Neckyfarow, Ollie Corchado, Sara Glancy
Reconnecting with family IRL. Discovering your boyfriend’s secret photos. Baby Store induced overwhelm. Training for your first day. Wedding dress shopping. A pre-show prayer. Sharing girl time without the ‘rents… It can all change in an instant. And yet, nothing has changed…417.
MIJITA BY DANIELA THOME
Featuring: Adriana Sananes, Elena Hurst, Lillian Andrea de Leon, Zuylema Guevara
Fascist tendencies in the current government triggering you? Pandemic bringing you down? Mother issues? Talk to your Chilean grandmother. Learn her secrets to surviving a dictatorship with her spirit intact. Abuelita always knows best.
YET THE SEA IS NOT FULL BY ERIC MEAD
Featuring: Alex Emond, Karen Lee, Sharlene Hartman
5 Tips to Survive Visiting Your Deeply Religious Korean Mother
1. Attack the staircase on all fours.
2. Get high in the bathroom while she’s praying.
3. Don’t insult the faith healer.
4. Pay no attention to the invisible drum sounds.
5. Remember: All rivers run into the sea.
COUNTING BY TWOS BY NOEMI DE LA PUENTE
Featuring: Catherine Overfelt, Elizabeth Rimar, Joy Jacobs, Mackie Raymond
Find the intersection of statistics, data analysis, high school math class and gender identity. Analyze the normal distribution of a mother's love. Add to this the probability of a North Carolina school board clash. Yes there will be a test at the end. No, it will not be standardized.
first reads festival #13:
September 11-12, 2020
POT ODDS BY GABI WAGNER
Featuring: Dan Johnson, Jasmine Spiess, Sheila Joon-Azim, Starr Kirkland
Kendra and Natalie seem to have nothing in common except they both loved Jasmine. Panic attacks, pot brownies and pocket aces help them deal with buried secrets, bottled anger and bluffed intentions. All-in with one card to come, will they stay at odds or make the right read on each other?
THE ARMANDO PROJECT BY ORLANDO RODRIGUEZ
Featuring: Daniel Anthony Hidalgo, Daniela Thome, Lluvia Almanza, Luis Alberto Quintero, Matthew Menendez, Michael Perdomo, Ollie Corchado
Class of 2006, cabrones!! Raised in Southwest Texas, shits been rough for this straight A vato who hates sports and monster trucks, but loves wine coolers. After getting cast in some play called “The Laramie Project”, has he found his place, or should he just stick with the homies? How long can he remain in the middle?
THE NEW VACCINE BY ERIN MOUGHON
Featuring: Chris Rothbauer, Elizabeth Rimar, Mackie Raymond, Michelle Byron, Priyanka Krishnan
Want to help humanity? Need $$$ fast? Sign up to test our new vaccine!
Possible side effects include: headache, nausea, insanity, immaturity, intense pain, sensory failure, extreme emotions, erratic behavior, loss of identity, death, or tail growth.
THE RE-EDUCATION OF FERNANDO MORALES BY JUSTIN P. LOPEZ
Featuring: Akyiaa Wilson, Anthony Ruiz Jr., Bob Jaffe, Caitlin Belforti, Daniel Colon, Lucas Hernandez, Marco Aponte, Mathew Napoli
When his family sends him away to “fix” him, Fernando Morales becomes split between the past, present, and future. Surrounded by flashes of electricity and Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, he must search through time for some way to save himself. Will he succeed, or is the requiem for him?
First Reads Festival #12:
June 27-28, 2020
BREAKDOWN BY THOMAS DIETER
Lee isn’t moving forward. In fact, he’s broken down in the middle of the night outside of a trailer home in who-knows-the-fuck-where. Can he make it through the night unscathed? That bottle of moonshine—and the terrifying woman who’s holding it—sure isn’t helping.
Lee- Andi Lee Carter
Lady- Marie Elena O'Brien
Kendra- Maria Isabella Rojas
Stage Directions- Chris Rothbauer
MIXED MESSAGES BY EVAN EDWARDS
The Boudier boys couldn’t be more different if they tried, but they do have two things in common: their mother, Madame Aleesia Christina Duvall, and misinterpreting her parenting. After ten years, the boys have been summoned home to New Orleans, where mama plans to serve some spirits, dust off the drama, and unburden the baggage her sons carry from childhood. Thirty-six hours should be enough time, right?
Beaumont- Jeremy Feight
Bettina- Elizabeth Jasicki
Charles- Hakim Rashad
Joshua- Mark Ferrando
Kendrick- Roy Flores
Mother- Joy Jacobs
Lars- Brendan Daugherty
Stage Directions- Diana Cherkas
THE NEW MOTHER,
IN WHICH TURKEY AND BLUE EYES MEET A STRANGE GIRL
BY KIT GOLDSTEIN GRANT
A NEW MUSICAL BASED ON THE STORY BY LUCY CLIFFORD
In a house at the edge of the woods, Turkey and Blue Eyes are good little girls… disgustingly good. A Strange Girl promises them mysteries beyond compare if they are naughty. But they soon find to be naughty well requires a great deal of skill - and may lead to surprising consequences.
Mother- Larissa Adamczyk
Blue Eyes- Marta Rymer
Turkey- Deb Radloff
Strange Girl- Alexandra Bonesho
Stage Directions- Jasmine Spiess
AZTEC PIRATES AND THE INEQUITY OF SACRIFICE BY DAVID DAVILA
Three years after the deadly actions of an ICE agent changed their lives forever, Elida wants closure, Carmen wants absolution, and Michelle wants justice. But as they try to move on, looming mysteries and visions of prophetic Aztec Warriors force them into a journey that will entangle their lives further.
Elida- Maria Isabella Rojoas
Carmen- Alexandra Castro
Michelle- Lillian Andrea De Leon
Beto- Luis Quintero
Xochitl- Jennifer Paredes
Johnny & Others- Ollie Corchado
Homer & Others- Franky Gonzalez
Sister Molly & Others- Monica Rey
Stage Directions- Emily Comisar
first reads Festival #11:
March 7, 2020
THE QUALIFIERS
(FORMERLY I’LL MEET YOU IN DARJEELING)
BY MARINA BARRY
A racetrack, a farm sanctuary, a laundromat? The mystery that drives into the lives of the upstate New York town of Watkins Glen is something a piece of apple pie can't fix.
Featuring: Bryn Packard, Kirsten Hopkins, Sharlene Hartman, Steve Hauck, Evan Edwards
THREE RIVERS, TEXAS
(FORMERLY BEEVILLE)
BY RYAN RAMIREZ
It’s hot as hell in Gloria’s house. She tolerates the lingering South Texas heat the way you tolerate a relative that has overstayed their welcome. What better time to have a long lost niece over for enchiladas?
Featuring: Catherine Overfelt, Daniela Thome, Gilbert Cruz, Jessica Vera, Monica Rey, Randall Rodriguez, Tamara Torres
First reads festival #10:
November 16, 2019
OVUM OMEN:
THE "TRUE" STORY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE ANTI-CHRIST
(formerly A Girl Loves God)
By Mickey Johnson
Sincreek has been experiencing mild symptoms of impending doom. Fiery hail is raining down, the great star Wormwood has plummeted, and all the seas are filled with blood. Can this all be the fault of Marge and her pet chicken, Gloria?
Featuring: AJ Clauss, Eric Mead, Maya Rosewood, Sharlene Hartman, Naomi Barbee, David Michael Kirby
DARKROOM
By Jona Tarlin
Her mother’s photos made her an art world sensation.
But now Mom’s dead and it’s time for Carson to escape the clutches of the only house she’s ever known.
First order of business, kill the family swan.
Featuring: Emily Daly, Jessica Luck, Kieron Anthony, Natalie Neckyfarow
PRIDEFUL
by Peter Macklin
Freethinking is forbidden.
Obedience is mandatory.
And, now, let us blow our kisses to the East
PRIDEFUL: A totally f@&%#d new play.
Featuring: Ed Valentine, Gabriel Leung, Katherine Puma, Michael Markham, Monica Rey, Timothy Sekk
First Reads Festival #9:
July 20, 2019
RECIPE OF A BLACK HERITAGE
(formerly Angels Watching from Afar)
BY CHRISTOPHER BUCHANAN
featuring: Aqila Thomas, Denise Locke, Kari Seward, Tina Fabrique, Shoya Dixon
Akiylah is fighting the fight. Is her rage, pain and loss intensified by family, the church and the secrets of the women in her life? Recipe of a Black Heritage: A multi-generational drama that still matters.
LAUNDRY
BY MAURA KELLEY
featuring: Daniel Hidalgo, Evan Edwards, Nick Locilento, Mickey Johnson, Paul Pakler
Drugs, Drag and Zumba! On a rainy day in NYC, a deserted laundromat serves as a meeting place for three LGBTQ+ strangers. Will this trio survive the spin cycle?
BIRDS OF PREY REGARDS FROM THE UPPER WEST SIDE
BY MARIO SOTERO
featuring: Brad Makarowski, Julian Robertson, Lewis Chapman, Monica Rey, Priyanka Krishnan, Richard Calavache, Sheila Joon, Tracy Rosten
These people are a MESS! All Drama, All Heart, All searching for Connections, Answers, and Truths, All Battling the Hilarious Heartbreak of Life. Who said living on the Upper West Side was ALL THAT?
First Reads Festival #8:
March 16, 2019
STARDUST OR THE END OF PETE
BY LEIF MENEKE
Pete survived AIDS. Will he survive 2019? Does he want to?
featuring: Akyiaa Wilson, Ari Rossen, Ariel Estrada,
Hakim Rashad McMillan, Kyle Minshew, Yz Jasa
THE LEGEND OF SUICIDE JACK
BY NOEMI DE LA PUENTE
Whore houses, prairie schools and tumble weeds...long before the days of student loans, robbin' trains was a darned good option. After all, what's a poor, plain girl to do?
featuring: AJ Clauss, Alex Castro, Bryan Patrick Stoyle, Doug Rossi,Maria Isabella Rojas, Monica Rey, Prudence Holmes, Veronica Dang
MRS. CHRISTIE
BY HEIDI ARMBRUSTER
Lucy is on the lamest bucket list adventure ever when she stumbles upon a clue that just might solve the mystery of Agatha Christie’s 1926 Disappearance. Sometimes you need to disappear in order to find yourself.
featuring: Brad Makarowski, David Michael Kirby,
Emily Daly, Katherine Puma, Lily Fryburg,Natalie Neckyfarow,
Paul Pakler, Priyanka Krishnan, Rhonda Dodd
first reads festival #7:
November 17, 2018
#IMWITHME BY OLIVIA REEVELL
(Formerly known as The Day The President Died)
Got a crazy, egotistical, fear mongering President running amok? Here’s how to help: Step 1. Plot a manic scheme with your besties while drinking appletinis. Step 2. Kidnapping, dungeons, and ice cream fridays. #IMWITHME
featuring: Annie Keris, Charlie Wilson, Chase Naylor,
Mandy Murphy, Paeton Chavis, Priyanka Krishnan
SWIPE RIGHT A MUSICAL BY ADAM PARRISH
boy meets girl. boy's mom meets girl's dad. they sing. Swipe Right. an intergenerational online dating musical.
featuring: Arthur Gregory Pugh, George Copeland, Karen Elliot, Monica Rounds, Peyton Edwards
THANKSGIVING RETURNS BY ERIN MOUGHON
(Formerly known as Thanksgiving About The Children)
It’s Thanksgiving dinner with your loud Southern family! A great time to introduce them to your Yankee boyfriend. Who bought you an engagement ring. That has a 30 day return policy. And it’s day 29...
featuring: Andrew Griffin, David A. Gill, Doug Rossi, Jasmine Spiess, Maria Rojas, Catherine Overfelt, Rhonda Dodd
AN ECLIPSE COMES TO MANOR ON THE HILL
BY THOMAS DIETER
Insane townies, encroaching interlopers, gossiping geriatrics. In the shadow of the total eclipse, everyone has something to hide. But when the moon wanes all will come to light. This will be no ordinary visit to grandma’s.
featuring: A. Jacks, Ari Rossen, Catherine Overfelt, John R. Tillotson, Marie Elena O’Brien, Matthew Menendez, Sharlene Hartman, Tracy Rosten
First Reads Festival #6:
July 7, 2018
JOSHUA BY OLLIE FIELDING
Is Joshua Bowden the #secondcoming? In a divided time when social media controls our lives, Joshua has the attention of the world and the belief of his flock, but can he earn the faith of his daughter?
Featuring Arthur Gregory, George Pappas, Jasmine Spiess, Monica Rounds, Nilsa Reyna, Stuart Green
THE SWINGING NUNS BY MARINA BARRY
Prayers received. Prayers answered. The Lord sure works in mysterious and comical ways in getting the nuns of Our Lady of Perpetual Motion Catholic High School out of their financial woes. Can they do-sa-do out of the red and into the black?
Featuring Annie Keris, Betty Hudson, Claire Shiell, Evan Edwards, Sue Barrett, Topher Payne
THREADED IN THE AIR BY DAVID MICHAEL KIRBY
"To mend each tattered Faith/ There is a needle fair..."
One devastating loss after another has torn the young Edwards family apart. Will a haunting midnight journey through relationships past and present restore their love, their faith, their family?
Featuring A. Jacks, Catherine Overfelt, Laura Johnston, Madeleine Maby, Peter Macklin, Vaylyn Peterson
INTO HIS HAND BY MANDY MURPHY
Welcome to the arena, where bull-riders are Kings and women can only watch. Meet Jessica Jackson, a rider’s gal, who's got everything she’s supposed to want. Will she be able to withstand the jolts and lurches of her life or will she be bucked off?
Featuring A. Jacks, Bryn Packard, Nicole Orabona, Paul Peglar
First Reads Festival #5:
MARCH 10, 2018
THE OLYMPIA BY LAUREL LOCKHART
The place he wanted to escape. The place he once called home. The Olympia, an old world diner struggling to survive in small town, USA. What price is Daniel willing to pay to keep the dreams of a family alive?
Featuring Evan Edwards, George Pappas, Monica Rounds, Paul Pakler, Rhonda Dodd
THE GATE KEEPER BY BLAIR INGENTHORN
A frustrated TV star. A pushy producer. An ambitious beauty vlogger. A dedicated personal assistant. In modern day Hollywood, who really has the power?
Featuring Angela Hsu, Brian Childers, Cait Cortelyou, John Concado, Thomas Dieter
THE LADY WARRIOR OF DUNDALK BY T.S. LORGE
A bar in Dundalk, Ireland, 1961. War plans are made, a man is betrayed and a woman tries to preserve her family.
Featuring Andrew Griffin, Brad Makarowski, Catherine Overfelt, Charlie Wilson, Chase Naylor, David Michael Kirby, Diana Cherkas, Kevin Jones, Kristen French, Nolan Blair, Paul Peglar
AZTEC PIRATES & THE INSIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE ON MARS BY DAVID DAVILA
What makes someone a traitor to their race? Johnny Montenegro has just been accused of genocide by the man he’s been tasked with deporting. In a split-second he’ll have to choose between his identify, his duty, and his sanity.
Featuring Alex Castro, Ashley Maria Ortiz, Gerard Lucero, J.J. Philips, Julia Babin, Julia Botero, Mandy Murphy, Nick Ortiz, Nicole Orabona
First Reads Festival #4:
November 11, 2017
OR LIFE WILL BY A. JACKS
Sex, lies, blackmail, and loss bleed together in this gripping political tragedy where one teen's struggle with purpose and identity serves as both a currency and a curse.
Featuring: Brad Makarowski, David Michael Kirby, John Racioppo, Karina Richardson, Kirsten Hopkins, Manning Jordan, Starr Kirkland, Ysabel Jasa
INCOMPLETE PARTY BY DANIELLE WINSTON
Girl meets boy. Girl loses boy. Girl and boy find a hot body. Love, death, and Hellcats collide in this dark romantic comedy set in a magical New York City.
Featuring: Charlie Wilson, Diana Cherkas, Marie Elena' O'Brien, Mike Lesser
LEGENDS OF TEXAS BY NILSA REYNA
In a quintessential south Texas border town, sibling rivalry, past indiscretions and devastating loss ignite in high caliber drama, between the new owner of the family gun shop, and the ones that stayed behind.
Featuring: Andrew Griffin, Bryn Packard, Jacqui Rêgo, Jessica Vera, Julia Botero, Maria Peyramaure
TOMORROW WE LOVE BY JEFFREY VAUSE
Passion! Deception! MURDER? In the sleepy hamlet of Noble Bay, California circa 1960, divorcee Lanie Fairchild lives, loves...and endures! This is TOMORROW WE LOVE, a gender-bending melodramatic homage to the classic romantic films of the mid-century!
Featuring: Cait Cortelyou, Chase Naylor, Jimmy Moon, Kyle Minshew, Nick Matthews, Spencer Aste, Stacey Raymond
First Reads Festival #3:
July 8, 2017
The Rule Book Can't Apply by Christopher Buchanan
Fouls are committed … nefarious boys, teen angst and personal drama threaten to unravel the fabric of this closely knit group of young women. Will they rebound for the win or foul out for good?
Featuring: Aja Singletary, Alexandra Bonesho, Josette Murray, Manning Jordan, Marie Elena’ O’Brien, Mischa Goodman, Peyton Edwards
The Giant Hoax- a family musical by Kit Goldstein Grant
Step right up and see the story of Emily, a young scallywag who lands in 1869 and enters a world of imagination, filled with such dubious characters as P. T. Barnum, a shady showman named "Stub," and a petrified prehistoric giant - wearing a top hat.
Featuring: Andrew Glaszek, Anthony Aloise, Claire Shiell, Jackson Perrin, Jayson Kerr, John Prestianni, Karen Elliot, Kirsten Hopkins, Kyle Minshew, Nick Locilento, Priyanka Krisnan
Let There Be Love by Mrinalini Kamath
Featuring: Cait Johnston, David A. Gill, Debargo Sanyal, Joy Jacobs, Paul Peglar, Yvette King
The Walk Up by Emily Comisar
Sometimes you choose the family you choose and sometimes they choose a family for you. Sometimes when there's nothing left to lose, a sledgehammer will be what gets you through.
Featuring: Alex Castro, Brad Makarowski, Carla Briscoe, Catherine Overfelt, Graceann Dorse, Jeanette Bonner, Maya Rosewood, Shane Salk, Todd Butera
First Reads Festival #2:
March 7, 2017
Boxthorn by Jim Cairl
Would you... Would you do it over...Would you do it over if... Would you do it over if you had the chance to do it over?
Featuring: Alex Castro, Bryn Packard, Marie Elena’ O’Brien, Paul Pakler
Guru by Jessica Luck
If Meg spends 8 weeks with Kendra, and Kendra is 20 points from passing, how many Youtube videos will Lindsee have to post in order to lose 3 pounds? The formulas that you may need to answer some questions are found at the end of the examination.
Featuring: Ashley Jackson, Cait Johnston, Christine Redhead, Cotton Wright
Why Us? by Brad Makarowski
It may not be the first time someone fell in love, but it may be the first time Frank and Izzy fell in love. And god only knows if the things that pop into their lives are a miracle, dumb luck or something they may forget.
Featuring: Alexandra Bonesho, David Michael Kirby, Don Castro, John Raccioppo, John Robert Tillotson, Sharlene Hartman
Members of the Choir by Evan Edwards
You're invited to a surprise party! Where: Tyler's apartment When: New Year's Eve Dress Code: A thick skin and a sense of humor No need for gifts. That's been taken care of...
Featuring: Andrew Glaszek, Anthony Aloise, Brian Childers, Charlie Wilson, David A. Gill, Hakim Canter McMillian, Jayson Kerr, Jonas Cohen, Nick Ortiz, Roy Flores
First Reads Festival #1:
November 5, 2016
THE GAMING PROJECT by Wendy Herlich
An American mother desperate to connect with her son meets a Chinese gamer struggling to vanquish her demons. It's only a video game. But who is playing?
Featured Actors: Bryn Packard, Christopher Buchanan, Fenton Li, Jackson Perrin, John Roque, Nancy Nagrant, Nina Covelesky, Siho Elsmore,Tim Torre, Ysabel Jasa
PITTSBURGHESE by Paul Pakler
Amy, who's this nice lady, hires this actor guy, Matt, to give her lessons to help her talk good at her daughter's fancy wedding. And it's funny and sad and yinz'll cry like whenever the Steelers finally got one for the thumb. So, yeah, see it, n'at.
Featured Actors: Diane Quinn, Paul Pakler, Marie Elena' O'Brien, Thea Brooks
IRREGULARS by David A. Gill
ir·reg·u·lar: 1. not even or balanced in shape or arrangement.*
(*see also the Horne-Piccolo Family of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Featured Actors: Evan Edwards, Joan Wool Rubinstein, Joe Ford, Hakim McMillan, Kim Reinle, Marie Elena' O'Brien, Todd Butera
HOME TO THE SEA by Jonathan Calindas
Mark is teaching a computer to think. Margaret is living with dementia. Ellie is just trying to make sense of it all. A meditation.
Featured Actors: Alex Castro, David Michael Kirby, David Meyers, John Racioppo, Rhonda Dodd, Roy Flores, Tamara Torres
CELL MEMORY THEORY by Mike Lesser
Ann is a survivor. But will the transplanted cells that saved her ultimately destroy her second chance at life?
Featured Actors: Ashley "Ajax" Jackson, Heidi Armbruster, Jeaniene Green, Sue Berch