Restaurant bungalow surrounded by palm trees, near the beach, with a big sun in the back... all in a painted style with muted colors.

Lia Del Mar

Lia Del Mar is a poignant exploration of familial love amid economic upheavals. In the Costa Chica region of Mexico, two generations of Afro-Mexican women do their best to make ends meet.

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Silhouette of a simple bridge arch depicted against a vibrant backdrop of blended colors, including blues, oranges, and yellows, creating an abstract and artistic composition. The gradient effect adds depth and movement, symbolizing connection and transition.

The Health Bridge Project

Shows, Staged Reading / premiere

Premiere Stages is honored to partner with Overlook Medical Center to offer playwriting workshops to the integrative programs at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center via The Health Bridge Project.

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On the left, dynamic sketches of baseball players in action are rendered in a pencil-like style. On the right, a stylized face with bold geometric shapes and warm orange tones completes the composition, creating a contrast between realism and abstraction.

Effa Manley, the first woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, fights against the press and segregation while managing the Newark Eagles in pursuit of the Negro League World Series title.

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Three individuals participate in a theater production on stage, emphasizing inclusivity and representation. One person stands while speaking, holding a script and a flower, and two others, each using a wheelchair, are engaged in the performance.

Plays by People

Staged Reading / premiere

A virtual reading of new plays by Matheny Arts Access contributors. The Matheny Arts Access Program enables individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries.

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A garage sits in a chess board and a looming cityscape in dark and red sits in the background

Castling

Shows, Staged Reading / premiere

In “Castling,” workers at a local tire shop in Newark play chess as part of their daily morning ritual. But when their long standing workplace becomes the target of a business takeover, they scramble to avoid being put into the ultimate checkmate.

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A collage of four diverse individuals, each captured in distinct styles and settings, showcasing a range of personalities and expressions. The background blends shades of blue with subtle patterns, enhancing visual interest. The subjects' attire, hairstyles, and expressions reflect individuality and cultural diversity.

Play Festival Reading Series

Staged Reading / premiere

You are invited to the 20th Annual Festival Finalists Reading Series, featuring the four finalists of the 2025 Premiere Play Festival at the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, Kean University.

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A man in the distance, holding a lantern and walking through a line of trees while the sun sets. His reflection is seen in the river in the foreground. A silhouette of an African American man can be seen through the trees.

Still

Play / premiere

Peter arrives at an abolitionist office seeking help from William, an African-American leader in the Underground Railroad. Soon they realize their vastly different pasts will lead them to a deeply connected future.

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A person dressed in nurse clothes and wearing a stethoscope around the neck is reaching for a medicine bottle. In the foreground, the inside of a cabinet shows orange colored bottles with pills inside.

Diversion

Play / premiere

When it’s discovered that someone is diverting medicine on an ICU unit, a group of devoted and hard working nurses must fight to save themselves and the integrity of their unit.

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Two actors engage in a theatrical rehearsal, seated on stage with scripts in hand. The intimate setting emphasizes the collaborative nature of drama and the importance of dialogue and expression in live theater, showcasing the creative process of character development and scene preparation.

Healing Voices

Staged Reading / premiere

Healing Voices: Caregivers’ Stories weaves together short works of prose, poetry, and theatre about personal caregiving experiences into an intimate theatrical performance.

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Mr. Still

Staged Reading, Shows / premiere

A new, abridged adaptation of last summer’s production of “Still” that is in development to tour schools throughout New Jersey.

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