←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Dear Ann” by Nikki Brake-Silla as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Dear Ann” 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 compelling language and complex family dynamics, which authentically reveal the characters’ experiences in relation to race and age and gender. Our congratulations and thanks to Nikki.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “One-Shot” by Andrew Rosendorf as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “One-Shot” 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. While set in a video rental store in 1999, the play feels urgently relevant to today’s issues. Andrew creates vulnerable and passionate relationships between the characters with high stakes, making for a deeply moving experience. Our congratulations and thanks to Andrew.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Data” by Matthew Libby as a semifinalist for the 2020 Premiere Play Festival. “Data” 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 Matthew’s ability to convey the disturbing relevance of the play’s technological and racial subject matter through nuanced, specific characters and a tightly structured story. Our congratulations and thanks to Matthew.

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.