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.

What a tightly written and compelling political piece that examines the compromises one must make in various sectors of their life--personal, professional, and ideological. Mullen so beautifully explores when doing work for the greater good potentially intersects with a morally or ethically questionable choice. All of the characters, lead and supporting, are nuanced and well-drawn and it is fascinating to watch their competing wants and desires bristle against one another. I'd love to see this in production!

A compelling piece on navigating one's professional career and conscience, do you have to choose or can you fulfill both? Here, we confront those questions head on. Well done.