It's interesting how things turn out. Our 11th season started out with the intention of taking some time to regroup. After 10 years of programming, 8 celebrated Main Stage productions, over 40 installments of the Neighborhood Reading Series, and 4 presentations of the 5X5 Drama Series, we were ready for a change. That change would come in the form of a new agreement with Actors' Equity Association which would go into effect in the 2020-2021 Season. We were planning on using this season to focus on organizational needs to ensure that this next step was a healthy one and had planned on stepping back from programming a bit.
Then COVID-19 hit and the entire world changed. We quickly realized that now more than ever, people need stories. People need an escape. People need catharsis. People need to connect.
We shifted our focus to curating remote offerings and ended up having quite a busy season and reaching more people than we ever have in the past. 5X5 alone reached 30,000 viewers and we were able to collaborate with artists all over the United States and promote locally owned businesses at the same time.
We will continue to create work and look forward to sharing it with you next season. Please stay tuned through Instagram, Facebook, grabbing the newsletter, or just checking back here.
Tim Blake Nelson's powerful and soul-stirring play makes its return. Theatre East collaborated with Mr. Nelson on the New York premiere as part of its inaugural season just over 10 years ago and as we look to the future, we celebrate where we've been. Featuring Gene Jones (No Country for Old Men, The Hateful Eight, The Sacrament). Also featuring Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy, Corey Finzel, John D. Ivy, Lizzy Jarrett, Mike McNulty, Oliver Palmer, Nick Piacente, Lauren Pisano, and Grayson Taylor.
In Kingfisher, Oklahoma, an innocent young woman meets a strong man of faith. Where is the line between moral and fanatical? A love story between the lonely, the troubled, the forgotten, and the radical believer who can save them.
EYE OF GOD
THIS IS A PLAY
A LIVE REMOTE READING
Daniel MacIvor’s brilliant and hilarious play about three actors, a composer, and heads of lettuce streamed live. We’re all being responsible by sheltering in place. But that doesn’t mean we have to come to a full stop. So we’re going to read a play for you! It’s short and it’s fun and it’ll put a smile on your face.
Featuring Lisha McKoy, Lauren Pisano, Nick Piacente, and Mike McNulty.
You can still watch it HERE.
THE BOY'S OWN JEDI HANDBOOK
A LIVE REMOTE READING
May the FOURTH be with you!
Theatre East presents a live remote reading of Stephen Massicotte’s THE BOY’S OWN JEDI HANDBOOK
Not long ago, and not that far away…
It is a period of change in a young boy’s life, informed by an epic film.
Featuring Ryan Chittaphong, Leah Curney, Amanda Hilson, and Andy Schneeflock
LITTLE MACHINE
A LIVE REMOTE READING
Space… a Martian transport carrying secret government cargo is hijacked by the cutest assassin in the universe. Everybody dies in this sci-fi comedy.
Featuring Elsbeth Denman, Jeff Gorcyca, Grant Emerson Harvey, Geoffrey Hymers, Laura Kay, Shelby Rebecca Wong, Yhá Mourhia Wright
5X5 DRAMA SERIES
A LIVE REMOTE PRODUCTION
The 5X5 Drama Series consists of 5 short plays with 5 casts and in the past has been performed in all 5 boroughs. This season because of quarantine due to COVID-19, we commissioned 5 plays to be written specifically for a remote medium and directed and performed by artists all over the United States. We also highlighted locally owned businesses in each borough that have been serving their communities during this difficult time. Best of all, tickets were available on a suggested donation basis.
You can still catch them all on our YouTube page.