←Premiere Stages at Kean University

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 theater in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize "Heartland," by Gabriel Jason Dean, as a semifinalist in the 2017 Premiere Stages Play Festival. "Heartland" rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and an outside panel of theater professionals over the course of five months to be one of 18 semifinalists out of roughly 400 submissions to the Festival. The panel was particularly impressed by the play's considered, human dialogue, smart pacing and craftsmanship, and the unusual but wholly real relationship between Harold and Nazrullah. Our congratulations and thanks to Gabriel.