2025 Next Act! New Play Summit 14
The Next Act New Play Summit, a joint venture between Capital Repertory Theatre and Proctors, is an annual showcase of new plays designed to shed light on new play development. The summit brings playwrights, directors, actors, and audience members together for a series of workshops and readings, where multiple new full-length plays are given readings.
The Summit was founded on the goal to find a play that theREP wants to produce–furthering the theatre’s commitment to the development of new work. To date, theREP has selected one play to produce as a world premiere from every single Next Act New Play Summit.
This year, we’re excited to align the Next Act week-long festival a few weeks before the world premiere of the 2023 Summit-winning play “Rosie Is Red And Everybody Is Blue” by John Spellos!
NEXT ACT! NEW PLAY SUMMIT 14 Schedule
Monday, March 31
—NY State Writers Institute’s 27th Annual Burian Lecture with Lynn Nottage
—Free to attend at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 31 at the University of Albany’s Studio Theatre, UAlbany Performing Arts Center (1400 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12222)
Wednesday, April 2
—7 p.m. MainStage Reading – “The Last American Newspaper” by Ken Tingley
Adapted from Tingle’s memoir. Commissioned by Adirondack Theatre Festival with the support of the John E. Herlihy Literary Fellowship. Directed by Marcus Kyd. This is story about Glens Falls itself! Revisit unforgettable moments, from the triumphant 2009 Pulitzer Prize win, to dramatic exposés about environmental disasters and the opioid epidemic. The feisty members of a small-town newsroom discover the power of the press to make a difference… and to change their own lives.
Friday, April 4
—8 p.m. Poetry Slam emceed by D. Colin
Surround yourself with the powerful artistry of guest slam poets including dynamic performer D. Colin. A Capital Region local since 2007, D. Colin has performed for The Moth, PBS, Write About Now, NPR and has toured both nationally and abroad. As a competing poet, she is currently ranked 12th from the Womxn of the World Poetry Slam 2023. Participating poets to be announced soon!
Saturday, April 5
—1 p.m. First 15 Reading
Featuring Jill Twiss’ “Good Vibes Only” – Emmy, WGA and Peaboy Award-winning comedy writer and author of “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” a New York Times #1 bestseller, and several other children’s books.
—4 p.m. Event TBD
Monday, April 7
—7 p.m. Second Look MainStage Reading – “Castling” by Anthony T. Goss
“Castling” was in the 2024 Summit’s First 15 Event and is getting a Second Look (full) reading this year. The play explores the lives of workers at a tire shop in Newark who incorporate chess into their morning routine. As their familiar workplace faces a business takeover, the employees must navigate the challenges that threaten their livelihoods.
Personal Responsibility Statement: Proctors prides itself on offering a diverse selection of arts entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. Patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the shows we offer in order to make informed decisions prior to purchasing tickets.
