Welcome to
The 21st Annual New Play Festival
Celebrating the incredible new works in the Upstate!
This event is free and open to the public.
Reservations are required for entry.
The start of the third decade of New Play Festivals at Centre Stage! Performed over four nights, this festival features never before seen scripts from up and coming South Carolina writers.
Our 21st Annual New Play Festival will celebrate our continued commitment to developing new work. The festival will accept up to 100 plays from South Carolina Affiliated Playwrights for staged-reading consideration. Of these submissions, 10 semi-finalists will be selected and 3 finalists will be given readings the week of the festival, one script will be chosen for further development and/or production at Centre Stage! During the festival, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback during a talkback for each reading led by our Playwright-in-Residence. As always, the festival will be free and open to the public and include light refreshments.
November 6th at 7:30
The Perils of Eleanor
By: Meghan Reimers
Directed by: David Veatch
An evil nephew, Robert, plots to inherit his Aunt Eleanor's vast wealth, but when she plans to change her will, he must resort to deadlier measures. Having successfully off’d his aunt (or so he thinks), Robert tries to avoid suspicion, but a conniving niece, a noble lawyer, an uncouth doctor, and a gangster all thwart his efforts. In the course of the play, Robert finds allies, enemies, and love, but will he inherit the money?
Kelly Wallace..........Eleanor Thorndike
Paul Michael Garrison..........Robert Thorndike
Cheyenne Rivenbark..........Giselle Thorndike
Taji Mayberry................Reginald Worthington
Drake King.........Anthony Smith
Meghan Todd......Clara Pruitt
Olivia Miller.........Stage Directions
November 7th at 7:30
Heck the Dolls with Chardonnay in a Box
By: Lou Clyde
Directed by: Anne Robards
It is the story of Sue, a bored and lonely resident at Aged Oaks Retirement Home, who takes a begrudging maintenance worker, Walter, with her on a trip down memory lane as she recalls the holidays of her past. Along the way Sue and Walter discover that they have much more in common than they ever could have imagined. Although the play is filled with laughs, it leaves a warm spot as the relationship between Sue and Walter fully develops.
Annette Garver..........Sue Griffin (Older)
DeAndre Presley.........Walter Gray
Kristi Parker Byers.....Sue Griffin (Younger)
Celia Blitzer......Becky Hayes
Simon Crowe........Bob Griffin
Jackie Collison.......Monique
Jenny Bennett.......Stage Directions
November 8th at 7:30
Unhuddled
By: Ami Trowell
Directed by: Clare Shaffer
Greta, an unhoused doctor, is trying to survive with the help of her closest companion Olga, a talking stuffed penguin. Greta faces the daily struggle of the unhoused as she navigates her life, people's perceptions of her, and the unfortunate circumstance after an interaction with a woman on the street.
Kelseigh Redmon..........Greta
Savvy Thompson.....Olga
Mary Miles.......Woman
Aaron Pennington.......Officer Brice
John Garrison.......Daryl
Mady Bell........Stage Directions
November 9th at 7:30
Take Me
By: Brian James Polak, Playwright in Residence
Directed by: David Veatch
Libby Pennington.......Character 1
Kristi Parker Byers........Character 2
Delaney Dunster.....Stage Directions
