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Be a part of the 14th NEXT ACT! New Play Summit

Join the ground floor as artists read new plays, and get their chance to turn their script into a world premiere

ALBANY—Capital Repertory Theatre is dedicated to championing both emerging and established authors and scriptwriters by casting a light on new plays and bringing these fresh stories to the stage. One way theREP reinforces that mission is through the Next Act New Play Summit, showcasing never-before-heard scripts and fostering new works on the MainStage.

The 14th annual Next Act takes place over six days, March 31- April 6. This incredible festival invites you to support new play development and be a part of choosing the next world premiere in Albany to potentially become a piece of an upcoming season.

Each year, the summit allows theREP to find plays with potential and helps them grow to further the theatre’s commitment to new theatrical production. Last year, “Three Mothers” debuted at theREP, and in March “Rosie Is Red And Everybody Is Blue” will premiere; both shows were selected from previous summits.

The summit brings together a community of audience members, actors, writers, and creatives to experience an immersive theatrical process. It also includes a series of workshops and table readings where new, fully developed plays are spotlighted.

Hundreds of scripts are submitted every year, and only a few are considered finalists after being reviewed by audience members through written feedback. This community experience between creatives and spectators has continued to foster an environment for opportunity, creative expression, and writing excellence!

Highlights of the festival include:

Monday, March 31

  • 7:30 p.m. New York State Writers Institute’s 27th Annual Burian Lecture with Lynn Nottage. Free to attend 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 — Enjoy a reading of the number one script that came through the submission process for the summit and give feedback to help theREP see what audiences think and ultimately weigh in on what script(s) theREP might produce as a world premiere.

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. The First 15 Readings, which includes a piece by Jill Twiss, author of “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo”
  • 4 p.m. NextGen Readings

Monday, April 7

  • 7 p.m. Second Look MainStage Reading

For more information visit attherep.org/next-act. This ongoing summit is possible by a legacy gift from Samson O.A. Ullmann – a professor of English at Union College (from 1957-92). Tickets are on sale now for this incredible event. Visit the Box Office at Proctors in-person or via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. or visit atthrep.org to support new play development!