←Premiere Stages at Kean University

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize IF NOBODY DOES REMARKABLE THINGS by Emma Gibson as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. IF NOBODY DOES REMARKABLE THINGS 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 poignant blend of the climate crisis’ dire urgency with how the characters continue on with the mundane everyday. Our congratulations and thanks to Emma.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize HOMESICK, OR SACRED HETEROSEXUAL SPACES by Ryan Drake as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. HOMESICK, OR SACRED HETEROSEXUAL SPACES 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 balance between absurd comedy and heartfelt pathos in its commentary on contemporary gay identity. Our congratulations and thanks to Ryan.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize HALF OF CHOPSTICKS by Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. HALF OF CHOPSTICKS 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 subversion of expectations for a ghost on stage, the fast-paced dialogue, and its clear dramatic question around issues of identity, community, and assimilation. Our congratulations and thanks to Stephanie.

Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize DUPE by Adrienne Dawes as a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Premiere Play Festival. DUPE 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 sharp, tight dialogue that captures all the different and often contradictory sides of the twins’ relationship. Our congratulations and thanks to Adrienne.

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.