originally published: 03/11/2025
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Tony Award winning Crossroads Theatre Company is expanding its acclaimed Genesis Festival of New Voices and New Plays with a new award in partnership with Columbia University School of the Arts. For decades, The Genesis Festival has been an incubator of new work for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated playwrights including Ntozake Shange, Anna Deavere Smith, Richard Wesley, Samm Art- Williams, Paul Carter Harrison and Lynn Nottage.
Crossroads continues its 45-year commitment to creating a sanctuary for the next generation of black playwrights with The Crossroads Genesis Prize for Playwriting Excellence, acknowledging the creative prowess of next generation playwrights and honoring their commitment to bold, authentic storytelling.
“Our long time commitment has been to ensure that our artists have a safe and nurturing environment to thrive. This partnership is an extension of that dedication to the next generation of storytellers.” -Ezra Ezzard, Managing Director
The partnership with Crossroads ensures an important and culturally unique opportunity for Columbia University MFA students seeking to augment their academic pursuits with professional support of their new work. The selected winner will receive a development lab and a public reading of the play with professional actors and director.
With a generous gift from an anonymous donor, the two institutions will present the award in a ceremony that launches this extraordinary partnership at the opening of Crossroads’ annual Genesis Festival, April 2, 2025 at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
This year’s honors are extended to :
* Silma Sierra Berrada (‘27) - The Genesis Prize Winner with Pearls
* Goldie E Patrick (‘23) - Finalist with Fish Fry
* DeAndre Short (‘23) - Finalist with The Group
* Jonathan Williem Mikhael Barbee ('25) - Finalist with The Finisher and The Opener Destroy the Universe
Founded in 1978, by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads has been a sanctuary for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated artists including August Wilson, Ntozake Shange, George C. Wolfe, Joe Morton, Viola Davis and many more. To date the company has launched 100+ productions, 50 World Premieres and introduced nearly 35 new playwrights to the global theatre canon. With existing partnerships with other theatre companies around the world, The Tony Award winning company is a leading global ambassador for diasporic storytelling.
Columbia University's School of the Arts is one of the leading arts schools in the world, a unique place where artists from every discipline come to study in their fields and to create together in one vibrant community. We award the Master of Fine Arts degree in Film, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing, as well as an interdisciplinary program in Sound Art that leads to an MFA in Visual Arts.
The School also offers a Master of Arts degree in Film and Media Studies, as well as undergraduate majors and summer programs. The MFA playwriting program is led by Tony©, Pulitzer, Obie Award and Outer Critics award winners such as Lynn Nottage, Leslie Ayvazian, Charles Mee, and David Henry Hwang. This program seeks to help each student find their own unique and idiosyncratic voice, and help each play grow into the best version of itself.
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George Street Playhouse Presents "my Lord, What A Night"Friday, May 15, 2026 @ 2:00pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
EVENT PREVIEWS
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th
(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 New Play Readings series will present a staged reading of Jack McGrath's House Rules on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. The play tells the story of Bobby Ray – a man who has walked across America to return "home" to try and avert a family tragedy. The problem is that the family he returns to refuses to recognize him, and his homecoming has come 10 years too late.
American Theater Group presents "The Unwitting Magician"
(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will once again present The Unwitting Magician, a special work in development by Jeremy Dobrish, May 16-17, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center. The piece was successfully presented last December as part of ATG's Free Monday Night Play Reading Series.
The Levoy Theatre presents "Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical"
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical from May 15-17, 2026. Based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Book Series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Studios Films, the musical contains a Book by Kevin del Aguila; Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler.
George Street Playhouse to Offer Livestreams of "My Lord, What a Night" this weekend
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse (GSP) is partnering with the League of Live Stream Theater (LOLST) to broadcast its acclaimed production of My Lord, What a Night during the final weekend of performances (May 15-17, 2026).
Red Bull Theater presents a reading of "Cymbeline, Refinished" on May 18th
(NEW YORK, NY) -- The award-winning Red Bull Theater will conclude their spring Revelation Readings Series on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm with Cymbeline, Refinished by William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw and directed by Michael Sexton.
New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the West End Arts Center. The production is directed by James Glossman and features an outstanding cast: Richard Kind, David Strathairn, and Michelle Wilson.
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on May 19th
(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at American Legion Post #1 in Leonia. Admission is free, showtime is 7:30pm. The production is presented by Roland Weimer.
Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour"
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" by Fay Corinotis on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Admission is free ($10 cash donation suggested).
The Maplewood Strollers presents "Much Ado About Nothing"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers presents Much Ado About Nothing across two weekends from May 15-24, 2026. Wit flies, sparks ignite, and love is anything but simple in this classic by William Shakespeare.
Main Street Theatre Company presents "Annie KIDS"
(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Annie KIDS on May 23-24, 2026. The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved, Award-winning musicals.
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George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"Friday, May 15, 2026 @ 2:00pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
