←Premiere Stages at Kean University

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.

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.