The Public Theater Announces New Play Reading Series

The Public Theater has launched the Judith Champion New Work Series, a collection of free readings featuring full-length plays in development. The initiative honors the legacy of theater enthusiast Judith Champion, who championed the creation of original plays by supporting six non-profit theater companies before her passing.

Photo byImage via Public Theater

This inaugural season features works by three acclaimed playwrights: Pulitzer Prize finalist Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, and Tow Foundation Playwright in Residence Else Went.

Through the series, playwrights receive valuable feedback during the early stages of their work, collaborating with professional actors and The Public Theater's development team.

"The Judith Champion New Work Series is an exciting endeavor," said Director of New Work Development Amrita Ramanan in a press release. "We're thrilled to showcase the artistry of these playwrights whose work pushes boundaries and inspires hope for the future of American Theater."

The readings will take place on select Mondays and Tuesdays between October 21st and 29th at The Public's LuEsther Hall, with both matinee and evening performances.

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis emphasizes the series' importance, stating in a press release, "This series will be an integral part of our development process, bringing the audience into the collaboration as our artists experiment and break boundaries."

Here's a sneak peek at the featured plays:

Proxy by James Ijames: A psychotherapist grapples with moral dilemmas when a new client confesses a grizzly crime, while tensions rise in her Black community due to missing children.

Degenerates by Else Went: A group of men struggling with loneliness and disillusionment find solace in an online community, but a burgeoning relationship challenges their self-pitying world.

Ronnie and Kripa by Shayok Misha Chowdhury: An unlikely friendship blossoms between a single gay man and a recently divorced woman, leading them to explore a unique path to parenthood.