Be part of the process!
In partnership with the Chelsea District Library, the Purple Rose offers free concert readings of new plays as well as occasional lectures and panel discussions with playwrights, directors, designers and actors.
Concert readings offer advance looks at plays under consideration for upcoming seasons. These special events are free of charge and feature open forum discussion with the playwright and director. Audience feedback helps shape the script as it moves toward full production and gives us valuable insight into what you are interested in seeing on our stage.
Our panel discussions provide Purple Rose artists an opportunity to share their stories with you, stories about the production behind every great production.
Upcoming Readings via Zoom:
Saturday, March 9, 2024 @ 10:30am EST
Dinner Party
by Pardeep Toor
directed by Rhiannon Ragland
Cast: Sri Chilukuri, Shonita Joshi*, Joseph Kathrein+, Rashmi Rustagi*+, Kevin Vavasseur*+
*member, Actors’ Equity
+member, SAG/AFTRA
Synopsis: Neelam is excited to introduce her new partner Hans to her parents during the holiday break. She imagines it’s what her parents always wanted for her, a nice Indian boy who understands their customs and lifestyle. But over a few drinks at Christmas dinner, both Neelam and Hans learn that just being Indian isn’t enough and not all immigrant journeys are the same. This play explores racism and classism within the South Asian community and how necessary assimilation in America dilutes identity and can result in harbored prejudices toward new immigrants.
Contains adult language and subject matter.
Special thanks to Equity and SAG-AFTRA.
Previous 2020-2023 Purple Rose Zoom Readings:
Sat. Oct. 17, 2020 @ 10:30am- “Under Ceege” by Jeffry Chastang
Sat. Nov. 14, 2020 @ 10:30am- “Human Error” by Eric Pfeffinger
Sat. Dec. 5, 2020 @ 10:30am- “Cloud Tectonics” by José Rivera
Sat. Feb. 6, 2021 @ 10:30am- The Purple Rose Theatre 10-min Play Festival by Various Artists
“Deactivated” by Jeffry Chastang
“A Rose by Any Other Name” by Ann E. Eskridge
“Happy Born Day” by Shawntai Brown
“The Date Conflict” by Kia T. Barbee
“First-come, First-served” by Cam Blackwell
“The Guardian” by Jay Walker II
“Clubbing” by Charity Clark-Anderson
“One More Day at at Time” by Rhonda English
“Boedie and Carrie” by Angela G. King
“Where Are You?” by Alvaro Saar Rios
“When You Know You Know” by Jeff Daniels
Sat. March 6, 2021 @ 10:30am- “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine” by David MacGregor
Sat. April 17, 2021 @ 10:30am- “Deadline” by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes
Sat. May 15, 2021 @ 10:30am- “Piggsville” by Alvaro Saar Rios
Sat. June 19, 2021 @ 10:30am- “Light” by Jarrin Davis
Sat. July 17, 2021 @ 10:30am- “The Islanders” by Carey Crim
Sat. Oct. 16, 2021 @ 10:30am- “The Fisherman” by Jayme McGhan
Sat. Feb. 12, 2022 @ 10:30am- “In Common” by Quinn D. Eli
Sat. March 5, 2022 @ 10:30am- “Ichabod” by Joseph Zettelmaier
Sat. April 30, 2022 @ 10:30am- “if nobody does remarkable things” by Emma Gibson
Sat. May 21, 2022 @ 10:30am- “Stick Fly” by Lydia R. Diamond
Sat. June 11, 2022 @ 10:30am- “Our Daughters, Like Pillars” by Kirsten Greenidge
Sat. July 16, 2022 @ 10:30am- “Forget About Me” (The Breakfast Club Play) by David Hansen
Sat. Sept. 10, 2022 @ 10:30am- “A Lovely Day To Kill Your Spouse” by Lindsey Brown
Sat. Nov. 5, 2022 @ 10:30am- “Dirty Legal Secrets” by Sarah Feingold
Sat. Feb. 11, 2023 @ 10:30am- “Fourteen Funerals” by Eric Pfeffinger
Sat. March 11, 2023 @ 10:30am- “The Antichrist Cometh” by David MacGregor
Sat. May 20, 2023 @ 10:30am- “The Tropical Pickle” by Jeff Daniels
Sat. June 24, 2023 @ 10:30am- “Last Call at the Aardvark” by Paul Stroili
Sat. July 22, 2023 @ 10:30am- “What Springs Forth” by Carey Crim
Sat. Sept. 9 2023 @ 10:30am- “Mildred Whiskey” by David MacGregor
Sat. Nov. 4 2023 @ 10:30am- “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED” by Jeff Daniels
Sat. Feb. 10 @ 10:30am- “Always Come Back” by Matt Letscher