←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize DIASPORA! by Phaedra Michelle Scott as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. DIASPORA! rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 35 semifinalists out of 655 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by how the characters’ questions of identity clearly impact their ideals and approach to activism, as well as the beautiful theatricality of the setting and magical realism. Our congratulations and thanks to Phaedra.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize CATARACT by Dominic Finocchiaro as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. CATARACT rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 35 semifinalists out of 655 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the depiction of toxic masculinity and intersectionality through subtle yet vivid characters. Our congratulations and thanks to Dominic.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize ASHLAND: A SHAKESPEARE PLAY by Melissa Toomey as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. ASHLAND: A SHAKESPEARE PLAY rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 35 semifinalists out of 655 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s bold, inventive use of space and its dynamic characters’ nuanced interactions. Our congratulations and thanks to Melissa.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “#GodHatesYou” by Emily Dendinger as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “#GodHatesYou” 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 balanced, smart, funny, and unsentimental this play is. The nuanced arguments between friends about belief are engaging and prompt meaningful self-reflection by Laurel. Our congratulations and thanks to Emily.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “God Test” by Jess Honovich as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “God Test” 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 hilarious and absolutely charming Alexis and her dreams and imaginary Greek Chorus of stuffed animals are. And yet Alexis’ questioning her own identity and faith is done in a nuanced and thoughtful way. Our congratulations and thanks to Jess.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “When We Fall” by Emma Gibson as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “When We Fall” 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 use of the stars and the roof as metaphor for escapism, and the way that the characters speak candidly about the struggles of getting older and feeling lonely is done in a gentle and honest way. Our congratulations and thanks to Emma.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “Cacti” by Daphne Macy as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Cacti” 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 complex family dynamics, and the specificity of the world in which they live. The theatricality of the child that follows Yael around, as well as the sonic element of the “lonely whale” songs were very engaging. Our congratulations and thanks to Daphne.

Premiere Stages is pleased to recognize “28 Light Years From Now” by Rachel Bykowski as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “28 Light Years...” 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 the characters are so robust and full of life, and found the double-casting to be an effective decision. The premise and the scenes in the field between Josie and and Fran are highly compelling. Our congratulations and thanks to Rachel.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Dance Moms” by Ying Ying Li as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Dance Moms” 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 finds Ying Ying’s writing to be laugh-out-loud funny until it's devastating, and is particularly impressed by the inherent theatricality of the dance scenes. Our congratulations and thanks to Ying Ying.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “East Rock” by Kevin Daly as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “East Rock” 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 this play compassionately and thoughtfully challenges prevailing notions of who literally gets to be 'at the kitchen sink', and the nuances of the family dynamics. Our congratulations and thanks to Kevin.