←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “how it feels to fall from the sky” by Dominic Finocchiaro as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “how it feels to fall from the sky” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists out of 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by this poignant and insightful play’s many unexpected laughs and quiet heartbreaks, and how seemingly disparate people come together. Our congratulations and thanks to Dominic.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “The Opus” by Andy Truschinski as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “The Opus” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists out of 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by how innovative and powerful this play’s use of music is, especially within the context of how musicians were spared during the Holocaust because of a negotiation with Goebbels. Our congratulations and thanks to Andy.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “The Shaking Earth” by Mashuq Mushtaq Deen as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “The Shaking Earth” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists from 939 submissions. The panel was impressed by how much emotional life is conveyed in the concise scenework, language, and imagery. Moreover, the desire to escape trauma by looking to the future versus a desire to know the past in order to never repeat it is so resonant. Our congratulations and thanks to Deen.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “A Distinct Society” by Kareem Fahmy as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “A Distinct Society” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists from 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by how the play deftly weaves together seemingly utterly disparate topics like Homeland Security, Quebec Separatists, and The Green Lantern. The dialogue flows well, and provides both clear objectives for each character even as they grapple with their political beliefs. Our congratulations and thanks to Kareem.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “Hitch” by James McLindon as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Hitch” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists from 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the nuances of the dialogue. While both characters in this sensitive two-hander are believably defensive, they are also able to build enough trust over their time together to speak frankly about race, class, and trauma as they each grapple with their own demons. Our congratulations and thanks to James.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Aliyah” by Kathryn Grant as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Aliyah” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists out of 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s balance of humor and pathos, and the complexity of the relationship between socioeconomic status and religion. Our congratulations and thanks to Kathryn.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Aliyah” by Kathryn Grant as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Aliyah” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 26 semifinalists out of 939 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s balance of humor and pathos, and the complexity of the relationship between socioeconomic status and religion. Our congratulations and thanks to Kathryn.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Like They Magical” by Elizabeth Irwin as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Like They Magical” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 23 semifinalists out of 659 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s exploration of important social questions and by its carefully crafted, fully realized depiction of young people—particularly Samish and John. Our congratulations and thanks to Elizabeth.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “The Wake” by Tammy Ryan as the winner of the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “The Wake” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to its position as winner out of 659 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s theatrical exploration of grief and climate change. The play will receive a developmental Equity production at Premiere in July 2019, and we hope to see it in other theaters. Our congratulations and thanks to Tammy.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Foreclosure” by Vincent Delaney as a finalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Foreclosure” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of just 4 finalists out of 659 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s snappy, sharply written dialogue; its moving examination of homelessness and economic fragility in the American west; and its humorous exploration of neighborliness, good or otherwise. Our congratulations and thanks to Vincent.