(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's beloved annual fundraiser, 7th Inning Stretch, returns with a new look for this year inspired by the World Cup coming to New Jersey. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and trades baseball for soccer, featuring seven original short plays celebrating the passion, humor, intensity, and culture of the game.
For more than 20 years, Mile Square Theatre has presented this annual event celebrating Hoboken as the birthplace of baseball. Each year, an entirely new lineup of original short plays is created specifically for the event, bringing together playwrights, directors, actors, and designers from across New Jersey and New York City. Over the years, 7th Inning Stretch has engaged more than 1,000 artists and become one of MST’s most anticipated annual traditions.
This year’s FIFA Edition continues that tradition while embracing the excitement and global spirit of soccer through seven brand-new original works performed for one night only.
The lineup includes Pushing Mirrors written and directed by Chima Chikazunga; A.B.C. written by Abby Tilly, directed by Dorea A. Slagle; No Hands written by Stephen Kaplan, directed Anthony Gusevich; GOATED written by Gabriel Hernandez, directed Tais Fontanez; Soccer Moms Through The Ages written by Lenny Hort, directed Mikaela Kafka; Special Awareness written by Pia Wilson, directed Joi Danielle Price; and Pass to the Outside written by Iraisa Ann Riley, directed Chris Cragin-Day. The evening features Lighting Design by Ian Sanchez and Sound Design by Carter “Roc” Mangan.
The one-night-only festival takes place Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 7:00pm (with a pre-show reception beginning at 6:00pm). Tickets are $99 and available for purchase online. Mile Square Theatre is located at 1400 Clinton Street in Hoboken, New Jersey. It is recommended for audiences ages 10 and up.
“Mile Square Theatre specializes in small cast plays and musicals that come alive in our intimate spaces and appeal to our common humanity. The 7th Inning Stretch is the one time every year that we bring together a large group of artists for one event. With 7 writers, 7 directors, and 14 actors, we’re able to showcase the talent of artists that might not have appeared on our mainstage yet.””— Chris Cragin-Day, MST Artistic Director
Founded in 2003, Mile Square Theatre is a nonprofit professional theatre dedicated to producing bold, relevant, and engaging theatrical work for audiences of all ages. Through professional productions and innovative arts education programs, MST enriches the cultural life of the region and nurtures the next generation of artists and audiences.
