←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Stand and Wait” by Eliana Pipes as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Stand and Wait” 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 enormously ambitious structure, relentless interrogation of race and creative agency, and profoundly theatrical sensibilities, which pack many layers of meaning into a single gesture. Our congratulations and thanks to Eliana.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “No One Is Forgotten” by Winter Miller as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “No One Is Forgotten” 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 its extraordinarily detailed characterization and the profound sense of intimacy it engenders—both between Lali and Beng and between the characters and the audience. Our congratulations and thanks to Winter.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Nice Nails” by Aaron Ricciardi as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Nice Nails” 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 its thought-provoking and nuanced use of language to explore power, the humanity of all of the central characters, and the sharp, biting sense of humor evident throughout. Our congratulations and thanks to Aaron.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Laid to Rest” by Donnetta Lavinia Grays as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Laid to Rest” 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 accessible and poignant dialogue, innovative use of a social media feed/Greek chorus, and willingness to tackle fraught, painful topics head-on. Our congratulations and thanks to Donnetta.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “be mean to me” by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “be mean to me” 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 deft, deeply moving characterization of the two young women at the play’s heart, and by the elegant, fluid way the play shifts between time periods. Our congratulations and thanks to Sofya.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Derecho” by Noelle Viñas as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Derecho” 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 probing exploration of the value that U.S. society places on assimilation, whiteness, and non-white, non-Anglophone stories and traditions. It is wonderful to see a playwright tackling such fraught, important topics. Our congratulations and thanks to Noelle.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Cicada” by Nick Gandiello as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Cicada” 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 Nick’s lovely, often humorous dialogue, complex and compelling characters, and the slow burn of the conflict; and although the story of Benny’s family is tragic, it is also powerfully moving and uplifting. Our congratulations and thanks to Nick.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Alma” by Benjamin Benne as a semifinalist for the 2019 Premiere Play Festival. “Alma” 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 extraordinary, natural yet poetic language; its vivid theatrical imagery and imagination; and its moving, heart-wrenching portrait of two women who love a country in which they feel they are unwelcome. Our congratulations and thanks to Benjamin.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “La Fonda” by Suzanne Trauth as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “La Fonda” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 22 semifinalists out of 572 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by its vibrant dialogue, expertly constructed cat-and-mouse game, and tightly paced revelation of secrets and betrayals at the dawn of the atomic age—all in service of an important historical story. Our congratulations and thanks to Suzanne.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Baton” by Deneen Reynolds-Knott as the runner-up for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Baton” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals encompassing 572 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by its nuanced characters; its unflinching look at police brutality; and its complex examination of the ways both race and gender impact one woman. The play will receive a workshop at Premiere in June 2018. Our congratulations and thanks to Deneen.