←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Who’s Yehoodi?” by Jerry Slaff as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Who’s Yehoodi?” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the vivid characters, as well as the balance of humor and pathos in the play. Our congratulations and thanks to Jerry.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Jesus Plays Basketball on a Hot Night in Iraq” by Tyler Rivenbark as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Jesus Plays Basketball on a Hot Night in Iraq” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the poetry and subtext in the central relationship, as well as the non-linear timeline. It is a beautiful exploration of grief.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Invasive Species” by Tori Keenan-Zelt as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Invasive Species” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s engagement with questions of colonialism, story, and responsibility - it is a piece that calls us all in. Our congratulations and thanks to Tori.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Hotel Limbo” by Alice Eve Cohen as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Hotel Limbo” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the depth of engagement with homelessness and structural issues at work in our cities. Our congratulations and thanks to Alice.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “For the People” by Carol Mullen as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “For the People” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s deft engagement with numerous layering social issues, as well as the characters’ complexities. Our congratulations and thanks to Carol.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Flowers for Men” by Christian Mendonça as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Flowers for Men” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the unique use of plants to unpack a spectrum of issues surrounding masculinity, as well as the deeply flawed yet engaging characters. Our congratulations and thanks to Christian.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Confirmation” by Madeline Rouverol as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Confirmation” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the authentic capturing of teenage joy and angst, as well as the characters’ engagement with numerous existential issues. Our congratulations and thanks to Madeline.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Color Boy” by Esperanza Rosales Balcárcel as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Color Boy” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the steady crafting of a high-tension, chaotic fragmented reality, as well as the relationships between the characters. Our congratulations and thanks to Esperanza.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Breakfalls” by Gina Stevensen as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Breakfalls” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the organic weaving of plot, character, and environment, as well as the piece’s poetic mingling of intimacy and violence. Our congratulations and thanks to Gina.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “backstroke boys” by Xavier Clark as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “backstroke boys” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the rich, layered exploration of identity in the two central characters, as well as the fluid structure and tone of the play. Our congratulations and thanks to Xavier.