NAPseries 2020
Normal Ave Playwriting
3 parties. 4 plays. 8 readings.
In February of 2019, Normal Ave produced its inaugural NAPseries, a brand new festival of new plays, which featured 29-hour workshops of new plays, networking events, and more.
NAPseries continues after last year’s sold-out weekend. NAPseries supports Normal Ave’s mission of supporting new voices and making theatre accessible to audiences. All readings will be free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Make theatre. Make connections. Make it happen. We’ve got you.
Men Accumulate
by Peter Kim George directed by Nicholas Polonio
Men Accumulate follows a young woman imagining autism not as a disorder or disability, but as a way of relating differently and positively to her world.
January 10 at 5 PM+January 11 at 8 PM
stage manager Jenna Ng Lowry
dramaturge Nina Goodheart
Cast
Alice Sami Ma
Linda Helen Coxe
Edward Edward O’Blenis
John Ariel Estrada
Wilfred J Anthony Crane
On Trash Monsters
by Gillian Beth Durkee directed by Shannon Molly Flynn
On Trash Monsters brings us into the world of Jessica Bilson, who is horrified by a film on global warming she sees in school and decides to take control of her family's trash situation, only to discover there is a trash monster named O'Leary living in their basement garage. The Bilson family quickly find themselves caught up in a tornado of garbage, mononucleosis, Vivaldi busts, 3 AM secrets, doll houses, and — most importantly — the crushing guilt of feeling poisonous.
January 11 at 5 PM+January 12 at 8 PM
stage manager Michael Brent Hicks
dramaturges Dani Joseph+Kylie M. Brown
Cast
Jessica Elyse Steingold
O'Leary Julia Melfi
Dad Jake McCready
Mom Erin Christine Walsh
Sister Alanna Saunders
Boyfriend/Narrator RJ Vaillancourt
Barbara/Sally Keaton Whittaker
Albert Chang Sean Fowley
Sarah Sits Shiva for Herself
by Megan Pope directed by Kathleen Capdesuñer
Sarah is dying but masking it with beserk confidence. She decides to throw a shiva for herself (even though shivas are for dead people and she is still very much alive). Only 3 people show up. Her mom, her ex-girlfriend, and her mom’s best friend Lou.
January 11 at 2 PM+January 12 at 5 PM
stage manager Lindsay Matheos
dramaturge Katie Walker
Cast
Sarah Jackie Abbott
Jeanie Yelena Shmulenson
Mo Claire Saunders
Lou John Plumpis
Seven-Letter Names
by Kristian O’Hare directed by Christina Franklin
A group of white liberal hipsters indulge in a six-course farm-to-table meal of locally grown vegetables, ethically raised organic meats, and sustainably caught seafood. While avoiding the impending doom of the outside world, this play examines the hypocrisy of the bourgeoisie and human nature, its primitive instincts, unspeakable secrets, and inconceivable actions.
January 10 at 8 PM+January 12 at 2 PM
stage manager Emily Donegan
dramaturge Jeremy Landes
Cast
Stephen Pascal Portney
Michael Nathan Simpson
Roberto Sommer Carbuccia
Caitlin Ella Smith
Rebecca Samantha Cooper