←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Children and Art by Ian August as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel admired the piece’s themes and questions regarding the use of people as commodities, the nature of art, and the act of parenting. Our congratulations and thanks to Ian.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize The Superconductor by August Hakvaag as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Within a dynamic setting and premise, the play explores provocative issues of science and labor through vivid characters. Our congratulations and thanks to August.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Citizen Scientist by CQ Quintana as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel enjoyed the play’s grounded and beautifully written characters, all moving within a piece that examines grief and oppressive systems. Our congratulations and thanks to CQ.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Three and a Half Anne Franks by Maya Macdonald as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel was engaged by the themes and questions surrounding identity, story, and who gets to claim them. Our congratulations and thanks to Maya.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize A Port in the Storm by Gregory Fletcher as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel appreciated the themes and questions of ideological and political conflict across generations. Our congratulations and thanks to Gregory.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Three-headed Monster by JuCoby Johnson as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Readers were impressed and moved by the play’s strong themes and questions surrounding grief and reconciliation. Our congratulations and thanks to JuCoby.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize I Wasn't Planning on Saying Anything by Nina Kissinger as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Readers enjoyed the balance of fun, light-hearted writing with topics like generational trauma, mental illness, and marriage Our congratulations and thanks to Nina.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Snowbirds by Lauren Holmes as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. Snowbirds rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. The piece is a unique, moving look at topics such as retirement for the working class, aging, and the reality of working and living in America. Our congratulations and thanks to Lauren.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Episodes by Kallan Dana as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. Episodes rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel was impressed by the success of the episodic form; the piece is an authentic, compelling exploration of cycles, girlhood, and a nature vs nurture argument. Our congratulations and thanks to Kallan.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Beshert by Daniel Kushner as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. Beshert rose through a competitive process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Our panel was engaged by the touching exploration of an intercultural, queer relationship in the 1920s-- and the social implications of that relationship. Our congratulations and thanks to Daniel.