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Schedule

Free play readings of bold new work at five theatres across Philadelphia July 5 - 20.
In a groundbreaking expansion of our traditional format, this year’s conference will stretch across four Philadelphia County districts, thanks to an unprecedented collaboration between PlayPenn and InterAct Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Power Street Theatre, Theatre in the X, and Wilma Theater.
Together, our cohort aims to foster greater sustainability in the arts by sharing resources, expanding audiences and taking bold new work directly into communities.
PlayPenn’s 2025 New Play Development Conference celebrates bold new voices in theater through partnerships, residencies, and public readings that support emerging and marginalized playwrights. This year, PlayPenn is teaming up with Philadelphia Young Playwrights to spotlight a writer aged 18 or under, reflecting a shared mission to empower youth to tell impactful stories.
The conference also features work from graduating members of The Foundry, PlayPenn’s free three-year residency for emerging Philadelphia playwrights, with readings co-produced by Philadelphia Theatre Company.
In addition, three Resident Playwrights selected from nearly 200 submissions across the Mid-Atlantic will develop their plays during a two-week residency, culminating in staged public readings in collaboration with local partner theaters including the Wilma Theater, Theatre in the X, and Power Street Theatre.
Saturday, July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Field of Flowers by Bee KanofskyDirected by James Kern
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Philadelphia Young Playwrights
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 1:00 PM
I'll Eat You Whole by Chaz T. MartinDirected by Jessica Holt
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 5:00 PM
Community Gathering with Theatre in the X
Location: Holy Apostles and Mediator Church
Co-Producer: Theatre in the X
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Talking to Og by Zahra PattersonDirected by C. Ryanne Domingues
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Monday, July 7, 2025 — 7:00 PM
The Company by Lex ThammavongDirected by Brett Ashley Robinson
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 12:30 PM
Wilma Theater Community Event:
A Practice in Balancing the Body with hand foot hand
Location and Co-Producer: Wilma Theater
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 2:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M FeldmanDirected by MK Tuomanen
Location and Co-Producer: Wilma Theater
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 5:30 PM
A Power Street Theatre Special Edition
of Comunidades Conectadas Story Circle
Location: The CORE at Esperanza Health CenterCo-Producer: Power Street Theatre
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-BarkinDirected by Erlina Ortiz
Location: The CORE at Esperanza Health Center
Co-Producer: Power Street Theatre
Sunday, July 13, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew SaitoDirected by Cat Ramirez
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Theatre in the X
Friday, July 18, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-BarkinDirected by Erlina Ortiz
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Co-Producer: Power Street Theatre
Saturday, July 19, 2025 — 7:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M FeldmanDirected by MK Tuomanen
Location: The Proscenium Theatre at The DrakeCo-Producer: Wilma Theater
Sunday, July 20, 2025 — 2:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew SaitoDirected by Cat Ramirez
Location: Plays & Players Theatre
Co-Producer: Theatre in the XTheatre Address:
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM:
Field of Flowers by Bee Kanofsky
Directed by James Kern
Dramaturg: Madeline Charne
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Young Playwrights
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Walnut–Locust Station.
Walk west on Spruce Street, then turn left on Hicks Street.
Bus Routes:
9, 12, 21, 42, 45. Exit near Broad and Spruce or Locust.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station.
Walk approximately 12 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line at City Hall.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street. Transfer to Broad Street Line or walk south on Broad Street to Spruce, then west to Hicks.
Theatre Address: (No Readings at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre)
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 1:00 PM
I'll Eat You Whole by Chaz T. Martin
Directed by Jessica Holt
Dramaturg: L M Feldman
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Talking to Og by Zahra Patterson
Directed by C. Ryanne Domingues
Dramaturg: Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Monday, July 7, 2025 — 7:00 PM
The Company by Lex Thammavong
Directed by Brett Ashley Robinson
Dramaturg: Walter Bilderback
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Walnut–Locust Station.
Walk west on Spruce Street, then turn left on Hicks Street.
Bus Routes:
9, 12, 21, 42, 45. Exit near Broad and Spruce or Locust.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station.
Walk approximately 12 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line at City Hall.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street. Transfer to Broad Street Line or walk south on Broad Street to Spruce, then west to Hicks.
Theatre Address:
Wilma Theater
265 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 12:30 PM
Wilma Theater Community Event:
A Practice in Balancing the Body with hand foot hand
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 2:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
Directed by MK TuomanenDramaturg: Kellie Mecleary
Presented in Partnership with The Wilma Theater
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Walnut–Locust Station. The Wilma is located directly across Broad Street from the station.
Bus Routes:
4 and 27 on Broad Street, 12 on Locust Street.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station and walk approximately 10 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street and transfer to the Broad Street Line.
Venue Address:
The CORE at Esperanza Health Center
3222 H St, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 5:30 PM
A Power Street Theatre Special Edition
of Comunidades Conectadas Story Circle
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
Directed by Erlina Ortiz
Dramaturg: Aly Gonzalez
Presented in Partnership with Power Street Theatre
Childcare:
Childcare will be provided on a first-come come first-served basis. If you would like to sign up for free childcare onsite (ages 3-12).
Transit:
Market–Frankford Line (Subway):
-
Take the Market–Frankford Line (MFL) to Allegheny Station.
-
Walk 1 block east on Allegheny Avenue.
-
Turn left onto H Street.
-
The CORE building is mid-block at 3222 H Street.
Bus Routes:
-
Route 60 (runs along Allegheny Avenue): Exit at H Street. Walk south to 3222 H Street.
-
Route 89 (runs north–south through Kensington): Exit at Allegheny Avenue. Walk to H Street.
-
Route 5 (Frankford–Center City): Transfer to Route 60 or MFL near Allegheny.
Regional Rail:
-
From any Regional Rail line, transfer at 30th Street, Suburban, or Jefferson Station to the Market–Frankford Line (eastbound).
-
Exit at Allegheny Station, then walk to H Street (as above).
-
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 5:00 PM
Community Gathering with Theatre in the X
Location: Holy Apostles and Mediator Church
Community Event Address:
Holy Apostles and Mediator Church
260 South 51st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Sunday, July 13, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 20, 2025 — 2:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
Directed by Cat Ramirez
Dramaturg: Autumn Storm Blalock
Presented in Partnership with Theatre in the X
Note: Due to technical issues at The Drake, tomorrow’s 2pm reading of Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow will now be held at Plays & Players Theatre. The theatre is on the first floor, but restrooms are downstairs and only accessible by stairs—there is no elevator.
Theatre Address:
Plays & Players Theatre
1714 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Venue Address:
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Field of Flowers by Bee Kanofsky
Directed by James Kern
Dramaturg: Madeline Charne
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Young Playwrights
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 1:00 PM
I'll Eat You Whole by Chaz T. Martin
Directed by Jessica Holt
Dramaturg: L M Feldman
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Talking to Og by Zahra Patterson
Directed by C. Ryanne Domingues
Dramaturg: Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Monday, July 7, 2025 — 7:00 PM
The Company by Lex Thammavong
Directed by Brett Robinson
Dramaturg: Walter Bilderback
Presented in Partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company
Sunday, July 13, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
Directed by Cat Ramirez
Dramaturg: Autumn Storm Blalock
Presented in Partnership with Theatre in the X
Friday, July 18, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
Directed by Erlina Ortiz
Dramaturg: Aly Gonzalez
Presented in Partnership with Power Street Theatre
Saturday, July 19, 2025 — 7:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
Directed by MK Tuomanen
Dramaturg: Kellie Mecleary
Presented in Partnership with The Wilma Theater
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Walnut–Locust Station.
Walk west on Spruce Street, then turn left on Hicks Street.
Bus Routes:
9, 12, 21, 42, 45. Exit near Broad and Spruce or Locust.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station.
Walk approximately 12 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line at City Hall.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street. Transfer to Broad Street Line or walk south on Broad Street to Spruce, then west to Hicks.
Tickets
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The Process
In a groundbreaking expansion of our traditional format, this year’s conference will stretch across four Philadelphia County districts, thanks to an unprecedented collaboration between PlayPenn and InterAct Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Power Street Theatre, Theatre in the X, and The Wilma Theater.
Together, our cohort aims to foster greater sustainability in the arts by sharing resources, expanding audiences and taking bold new work directly into communities.
Saturday, July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Field of Flowers by Bee Kanofsky
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 1:00 PM
I'll Eat You Whole by Chaz T. Martin
Second Floor Studio at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Talking to Og, or How Dora Mack Staved Off The Apocalypse With A Poem by Zahra Patterson
Second Floor Studio at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Monday, July 7, 2025 — 7:00 PM
The Company by Lex Thammavong
Second Floor Studio at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Saturday July 12, 2025 — 2:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
The Wilma Theater
Saturday, July 12, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
Esperanza Health Center's CORE Building
Sunday, July 13, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
Painted Bride Art Center
Friday, July 18, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Saturday, July 19, 2025 — 7:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
Sunday, July 20, 2025 — 2:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
The Proscenium Theatre at The DrakeVenue Address:
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM:
Field of Flowers by Bee Kanofsky
Directed by James Kern
Dramaturg: Madeline Charne
Co-Produced with: Philadelphia Young Playwrights
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Walnut–Locust Station.
Walk west on Spruce Street, then turn left on Hicks Street.
Bus Routes:
9, 12, 21, 42, 45. Exit near Broad and Spruce or Locust.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station.
Walk approximately 12 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line at City Hall.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street. Transfer to Broad Street Line or walk south on Broad Street to Spruce, then west to Hicks.
Venue Address:
Second Floor Studio at The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
480 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 1:00 PM
I'll Eat You Whole by Chaz T. Martin
Directed by Jessica Holt
Dramaturg: L M Feldman
Co-Produced with: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Sunday, July 6, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Talking to Og, or How Dora Mack Staved Off The Apocalypse With A Poem by Zahra Patterson
Directed by C. Ryanne Domingues
Dramaturg: Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Co-Produced with: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Monday, July 7, 2025 — 7:00 PM
The Company by Lex Thammavong
Directed by Brett Robinson
Dramaturg: Walter Bilderback
Co-Produced with: Philadelphia Theatre Company
Transit:
Broad Street Line (Subway):
Exit at Lombard–South Station. Walk two minutes north on Broad Street.
Bus Routes:
4 and 27 on Broad Street, 40 on South Street.
Regional Rail:
Exit at Suburban Station. Walk approximately 15 minutes or transfer to the Broad Street Line.
Trolley:
Exit at 15th Street. Transfer to Broad Street Line at City Hall.
July 12, 2025 — 2:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
Directed by MK TuomanenDramaturg: Kellie Mecleary
Co-Produced with: The Wilma TheaterThe Wilma Theater
265 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Esperanza Health Center's CORE Building
4417 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
July 12, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
Directed by Erlina Ortiz
Dramaturg: Aly Gonzalez
Co-Produced with: Power Street Theatre
Painted Bride Art Center
5212 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
July 13, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
Directed by Cat Ramirez
Dramaturg: Autumn Storm Blalock
Co-Produced with: Theatre in the X
The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake
302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
July 5, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Field of Flowers by Bee Kanofsky
Directed by James Kern
Dramaturg: Madeline Charne
Co-Produced with: Philadelphia Young Playwrights
July 18, 2025 — 7:00 PM
Ama. Egg. Oyá. by Lori Felipe-Barkin
Directed by Erlina Ortiz
Dramaturg: Aly Gonzalez
Co-Produced with: Power Street Theatre
July 19, 2025 — 7:00 PM
hand foot hand by L M Feldman
Directed by MK Tuomanen
Dramaturg: Kellie Mecleary
Co-Produced with: The Wilma Theater
July 20, 2025 — 2:00 PM
Harlem Canary/Tokyo Crow by Andrew Saito
Directed by Cat Ramirez
Dramaturg: Autumn Storm Blalock
Co-Produced with: Theatre in the X
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