Of the 70+ plays developed each year at the Playwrights’ Center (Franklin & 23rd Ave), eight are selected to be part of the public season of staged readings.
The readings feature top local and national actors (including, this year, Maulik Pancholy from 30 Rock and Weeds) and give audience members a chance to experience new plays before anyone else. Plays from recent Playwrights’ Center seasons that have gone on to production include George Brant’s Marie and Rosetta (running Off-Broadway now at Atlantic Theater), Carlyle Brown’s Finding Fish (opening October 8 at the Illusion Theater in Minneapolis), Christina Ham’s Scapegoat (Pillsbury House), and Philip Dawkins’ Le Switch (Jungle Theater).
All season events are free. The schedule:
The 2016 PlayLabs new play festival
The Remains by Ken Urban
Monday, October 17 and Saturday, October 22 at 7 p.m.
Director: Jeremy B. Cohen
Cast includes: Maulik Pancholy*, Sue Scott*, Bob Rosen*, Mo Perry*
West of Central by Christina Ham
Tuesday, October 18 and Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m.
Director: Hayley Finn
Cast includes: Juanita Jennings*, Shawn Hamilton*, James A. Williams*, Thomasina Petrus*, Mark Benninghofen*
we, the invisibles by Susan Soon He Stanton
Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 22 at 1 p.m.
Director: Dámaso Rodriguez
Cast includes: Kurt Kwan*, Sara Ochs, Nathan Keepers*, H. Adam Harris*, Adia Morris*, Angela Lin*
*Member of Actors’ Equity
On Sunday, October 23, the Playwriting Fellows Showcase is at noon and the #Theater2060 conversation is at 2:30 p.m.
PlayLabs tickets are available. Details and reservations at pwcenter.org/playlabs.
The Ruth Easton New Play Series
Wink by Jen Silverman
December 5 & 6, 2016 at 7 p.m.
queens by Martyna Majok
January 9 & 10, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Eden Prairie, 1971 by Mat Smart
February 6 & 7, 2017 at 7 p.m.
The Sea & The Stars by Harrison David Rivers
March 6 & 7, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Minneapolis/St. Paul by Lee Blessing
April 3 & 4, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Seward Arts & Culture 