Through the uniquely accelerated Play Festival process, Premiere Stages provides an encouraging and focused environment in which playwrights can see their work move quickly from page to stage. Premiere Stages also actively advocates for Festival writers, helps playwrights reach out to other theatres to secure subsequent productions, and partners with other organizations and theatres to extend the profile and life of the works developed. "What makes Premiere unique is that we fast-track plays from a sit-down reading to a fully staged production within a few short months, keeping highly topical plays relevant while affording playwrights the benefit of retaining the world premiere rights," stated John Wooten, Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages. "Premiere is passionate about supporting a diverse group of writers and presenting works that challenge our audience by exploring contemporary issues" added Clare Drobot, Producing Associate and Resident Dramaturg at Premiere.
In its eight seasons, the Premiere Play Festival has developed over thirty plays. Three of the plays produced through the Festival in the last three years have been honored by the American Theatre Critics Association, and multiple Play Festival finalists have gone on to flourish, being subsequently produced and/or published. Recent new works developed at Premiere include Michael Dowling's Tamarack House, Follow Me to Nellie's by Dominique Morisseau (2012 runner up for the ATCA Primus Prize), James Christy's Egyptian Song (2011 National New Play Network nominee), Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods (2012 winner of the ATCA Primus Prize) and The Good Counselor by Kathryn Grant, which was named as the runner-up for the prestigious 2011 American Theatre Critics Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award.
All entries are evaluated by a panel of theatre professionals in consultation with the Artistic Director and Resident Dramaturg. Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is January 15, 2013. There is no entry fee. Complete submission guidelines available at www.kean.edu/premierestages.
Premiere Stages is made possible in part through funding from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Provident Bank Foundation, The Northfield Bank Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, The New Jersey Historical Commission, The Westfield Foundation, The National Science Foundation and through the generous support of individual patrons.
Premiere Stages offers affordable prices, air-conditioned facilities, free parking close to the theatre and discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Assistive listening devices and large print programs are available at all times. Publications are available with advanced notice in alternate formats.
