←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Linger” by Craig Garcia as the winner of the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Linger” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to its position as winner out of 572 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s high stakes, complex, contradictory characters, and emotionally harrowing story. The play will receive a full Equity production at Premiere in July 2018, and we hope to see it in other theaters. Our congratulations and thanks to Craig.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “How to Fly” by Olivia George as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “How to Fly” 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 the play’s exceptionally strong dialogue, its vivid and theatrical setting and magic, and the complex, utterly believable story it tells of two girls on the verge of adolescence. Our congratulations and thanks to Olivia.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Reunion” by Nandita Shenoy as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Reunion” 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 the play’s deft dialogue, its well-drawn and unique characters, and its thoughtful examination of systemic racism and prejudice in a middle-class setting. Our congratulations and thanks to Nandita.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Bruise & Thorn” by J. Julian Christopher as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Bruise & Thorn” 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 crackling, vibrant dialogue, its compelling characters, and the exuberant, wonderful theatrical magic it showcases, all while tackling an important story about queerness and poverty. Our congratulations and thanks to Julian.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “The Garbologists” by Lindsay Joelle as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “The Garbologists” 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 the well-paced development of the central characters, the playwright’s sure command of the dialogue, and the play’s thoughtful examination of a group of people often overlooked in daily life. Our congratulations and thanks to Lindsay.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Europa” by Sarah Saltwick as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Europa” 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 expertly crafted dialogue, its complex and thought-provoking examination of sexual assault, and the nuanced, troubled and troubling friendships at the heart of the play. Our congratulations and thanks to Sarah.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “The Solid Sand Below” by Martín Zimmerman as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “The Solid Sand Below” 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 dynamic and enticing staging possibilities, the lyricism of its language, and the complexity and nuance of the relationships forged in Flores’s squad. Our congratulations and thanks to Martín.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Hurricane Colleen” by Tammy Ryan as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Hurricane Colleen” 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 the play’s high-stakes premise, the warm and human characters at its heart, and the smart, theatrical devices by which the playwright reminds us of the encroaching sea. Our congratulations and thanks to Tammy.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Good” by James McLindon as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “Good” 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 nuanced, often funny dialogue, its exploration of what a "good person" is, and the warm and human look it takes at the struggles of modern college students at elite universities. Our congratulations and thanks to James.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “As Is” by Stacey Rose as a semifinalist for the 2018 Premiere Play Festival. “As Is” 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 smart, lively dialogue, its narrative centering of “big black women,” and its imaginative use of ritual and space to create drama and tension among the sharply drawn characters. Our congratulations and thanks to Stacey.