A local launchpad for new theatrical works that spark community conversation.
Schedule of Events at a Glance
SUN MAY 4, 7:30 The Workroom PIC PIPS “Rockton Waves” by Bridget Erin
SUN JUNE 1, 7:30 The Workroom Incubation Workshop “Kevin” by Kate Brandt
WED JUNE 25th, 7:30pm Holyoke Media Summer Salon and Social
SUN AUG 10, 7:30 The Workroom Dev. Workshop “The Room Between”
musical by Frank Newton
SAT SEPT 20th, 3pm Creation Station All Ages Salon, 63 Strong St, Easthampton
SUN NOV 23, 7:30 The Workroom Dev. Workshop “The Play Where Nothing Happens”
by Maizy Scarpa
SUN DEC 7, 7:30 The Workroom Incubation Workshop "Vashti Says No"
by Talya Kingston
PIC PIPS
What is PIC PIPS?
PIPS stands for Plays In Progress Series. These are readings of new work in front of an audience. PIC casts full length plays from our roster of artists who come together for one worksession followed by a live reading of the script in front of an audience. The playwright and an assigned dramaturg work together to develop questions to share with the audience after the reading, and in this way the audience serves as a sounding board for further development of the piece. This is reserved for scripts in a variety of developmental stages. PIPS casts and logistics are organized by Program Coordinators Wynn Mackenzie and Madison VanDreuzen
In 2025, PIC will host three PIC PIPS at the Workroom (33 Hawley St, Northampton). All PIPS begin at 7:30 pm, with doors opening at 7:15. They are free to attend, and no registration is required. However, we will create a Facebook event for each PIP, and marking yourself as "interested" or "attending" there if you are thinking of or planning to come is very helpful for our planning.
When attending, please use the downstairs doors, nearest to the courtyard. Outside doors will be open at 7:15 and will be locked at 7:45 so please arrive promptly.
PIC PIPS 1: The Transformation, by Jem O'Hara
Sunday, March 2nd, 7:30pm
*Postponed from the original date of February 16th due to inclement weather
Synopsis: Iris and Morpheus dream of ascending the celestial hierarchy, and may have found just the way to do it. The Man grieves the loss of his brother and niece as war threatens his kingdom. The Woman, his queen, tries to support him and prevent disaster despite her own frustration and doubts about the king’s sanity. The arrival of Other Man further destabilizes the unhappy couple and threatens to shatter their world entirely. Can the gods somehow use this strife to their own advantage? The Transformation adapts the tragic story of Ceyx and Alcyone told within Ovid’s Metamorphoses by stripping away all but the essentials, to tell a story about unconditional love, friendship, and the forces that break them apart.
Dramaturgy by Brianna Sloane. Program Coordination by Wynn MacKenzie. Featuring Elijah Burger, Abuzar Farrukh, Zach Hebert, David Keohane, Seana Lamothe, Gabe Levey, and Adriana Piantedosi
PIC PIPS 2: One Pot Wonders, by Jennifer Persechino
Sunday, April 6th
Synopsis: A retired couple. A steady, stable life. A quiet house in the country. Until Ed tells Cathleen that he wants a divorce – oh, and to move across the country. Shocked and petrified of being alone, Cathleen hedges her bets. She tries to get Ed to stay, while amplifying her new interest in an old boyfriend. Will Cathleen be able to pick a path forward?
Dramaturgy by David Keohane. Program Coordination by Madison VanDeurzen. Featuring Emily Bloch, Marty Bongfeldt, and Josh Perlstein. Stage Directions by Francesca Hansen-DiBello.
PIC PIPS 3: Rockton Waves, by Bridget Erin
Sunday, May 4th
Synopsis: Yigal Hazan founded Rockton Stage thirty five years ago, transforming a rundown movie theater in a small coastal Connecticut town into a renowned ensemble-based experimental theater. Now, on the eve of his retirement gala, past and present company members reunite to reminisce on the past and envision the future. But when accusations arise that Yigal was inappropriate with women, the company can’t agree upon the past and the future becomes uncertain.
Dramaturgy by Fig Lefevre. Program Coordination by Nikki Beck. Featuring Raye Birk, Hia Ghosh, Lindel Hart, Louise Heller, Trenda Loftin, Joanna Nix, and Weaver. Stage directions by Melanie Slabaugh.
How are PIPS pieces selected?
PIPS are chosen through an open call for submissions which are reviewed by the PIC Literary team, which includes nearly 100 reviewers. This team is comprised of actors, playwrights, and other theater makers from a variety of cultural backgrounds and professional experience. Each play is read and reviewed by at least two different people, often more. Reviewers are scanning for whether the PIPS program will meet the playwright's needs, what stage of the development process the script is in, and whether or not it serves PIC's mission of a play that has potential to spark community conversation. Our Literary Coordinators then go over the reviews of each play, read the script a final time, and consult with the PIC Advisory Committee (our collective Artistic Director Team) if needed, before making the final selection based on reviewer recommendations.
Development Workshop
What is Development Workshop?
Development Workshop is reserved for pieces that have a first full draft and could use an intensive period of writing and hearing the work out loud with actors. This opportunity provides developmental worksessions with actors and other support artists over the course of a number of consecutive days, culminating in a reading and developmental discussion with an audience.
This is reserved for scripts in a variety of developmental stages. PIPS casts and logistics are organized by Program Coordinators Nikki Beck, Sarah Marcus, and Madison VanDreuzen
In 2025, PIC will host three Development Workshops at the Workroom (33 Hawley St, Northampton). Timing for Development Workshop presentations will be announces at a later date. Tickets are offered at a low cost, and registration is encouraged but not required.
When attending, please use the downstairs doors, nearest to the courtyard. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the reading and will be locked 15 minutes after the reading begins. No entry will be allowed after that time.
Development Workshop 1: In Clinic, by Julio Nogueira Varella
March 20-23. Date and time of Presentation will be shared at a later date.
Synopsis: 3 pediatric cancer patients go through weeks of treatment with their parents alongside them. The oldest cancer patient has a coming-of-age: through this traumatic experience they realize how they should act and who they are. The youngest suffers a loss of innocence: they realize exactly what it is they’re going through and just how terrible it is. The kid in between the two never gets to realize a coming-of-age. Meanwhile, their parents, nurses, and doctor influence them on their journey, for better or for worse.
Dramaturgy by Meena Cuni with cast coordination by Sarah Marcus. Featuring Gabriel Cifuentes, Pedro Eiras, Shaun Lamory, Sherine Levy, Aracelli Sierra, Aaron Mancaniello, and Patricia Mew.
Development Workshop 2: The Room Between (a musical), by Frank Newton
August 4-10. Date and time of presentation will be shared at a later date.
Synopsis: Life is constantly changing. Every month brings new technology, new leaders, new winners and new losers. Moments of climax and innovation claim most story lines. “The Room Between” is about all the other times that we all share. The times that are not particularly special, but inescapable and universal to all who live life. These times transcend economics, social and racial standards. These moments happen quietly, behind doors, in the rooms between us all.
Dramaturgy by Talya Kingston. Program Coordination by Madison VanDreuzen. Cast coming soon.
Development Workshop 3: A Play Where Nothing Happens, by Maizy Scarpa
November 21-23. Date and time of presentation will be shared at a later date.
Synopsis: A Play Where Nothing Happens” is a story of rural teenagers coming of age in quiet but intense ways. Maura and Anna’s last summer before college utterly lacks the iconic adventures promised in films and novels. Instead, they daydream, sneak into movies with their friend Pete, and try (unsuccessfully) to “make a thing happen.” In the process, Maura forms an unexpected bond with Anna’s college-dropout cousin, and all four of them––Anna, Maura, cousin Jack, and Pete–––must contend with the difference between what they think they want and what they actually do.
Dramaturgy by Ezekiel Baskin. Program Coordination by Nikki Beck. Cast coming soon.
How are Development Workshop pieces selected?
Development Workshop pieces are chosen through an open call for submissions which are reviewed by the PIC Literary team. This team includes nearly 100 reviewers, and is comprised of actors, playwrights, and other theater makers from a variety of cultural backgrounds and professional experience. Each play is read and reviewed by at least two different people, often more. Reviewers are scanning for whether the Development Workshop program will meet the playwright's needs, if the developmental stage of the script is appropriate for the program, and whether or not the play meets PIC's mission of having the potential to spark community conversation. Our Literary Coordinators then go over the reviews of each play, read the script a final time, and consult with the PIC Advisory Committee (our collective Artistic Director Team) if needed, before making the final selection based on reviewer recommendations.
Incubation Residency
What is the Incubation Residency?
What is the PIC Incubation Residency?
The Incubation Residency is an opportunity for a playwright to develop a brand new script over the course of 9 months with a hands-on creative support team that may include actors, dramaturg, director, theatrical artistic advisors, fellow playwrights, and more. The 9 months culminate in a public presentation (reading) of the work in process and may include a dramaturgically-led discussion with the audience to further aid in the development of the play. All artists involved, including the playwright are paid for their time and artistic expertise.
A sample schedule and design of an Incubation Residency:
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January: initial meeting with PIC co-directors and playwright to set goals and brainstorm the team to be assembled
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Feb-April: Writing time and dramaturgical feedback
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May: Actors can be brought into the process
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June-August: Writing time and dramaturgical feedback
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September-October: Actors return to the process
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November: Public presentation of work in progress
Some examples of past Incubation Residencies :
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Darcy Parker Bruce’s 4-play Cycle, The Piedmont Plays. Over the course of the 9-month residency Darcy completely re-wrote and restructured one of the plays, further developed 2 of the plays, and wrote a final play in full. Darcy’s residency team included a crew of actor/dramaturgs, stage manager, director, and artistic advisory team. The project culminated in excerpts of all 4 plays being presented to an audience
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Aria Lune Acevedo’s Return to Abya Yala. Aria began the residency with a few scenes, an extensive outline, and a clear vision and goal for the fully-realized piece. Over the course of the 9-months, Aria worked with a team of actor/dramaturgs, Artistic Advisors, director, and stage manager to complete a first full draft. The process culminated in a final presentation of the draft to a public audience.
**In 2025, we will be supporting two Incubation Workshops, rather than a 9 month Incubation Residency. Talya Kingston has been awarded these slots and we will be supporting two pieces that she is creating or helping to create:
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January-June: Kevin written and performed by Kate Brandt with Dramaturgy and Direction by Talya Kingston. Sound design by Gabriel CiFuentes.
Public presentation will be held June 1st at 7:30pm in The Workroom at 33 Hawley Street. $10/ticket. Subsidized tickets available. Tickets not yet on sale.
KEVIN is a solo performance about struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a woman and mother. Through the lens of colorful characters, this piece brings levity to an otherwise heavy topic and aims to normalize the complexity of living, surviving and (hopefully) thriving in life, despite having compromised brain chemicals.
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March-December: Vashti Says No [working title] written by Talya Kingston with music by Alexander Sovransky, with a public sharing on December 7th. More information to come.
How are Incubation Residency pieces selected?
Who qualifies for an Incubation Residency? -A playwright who has previously worked with PIC through the Development Workshop, PIC PIPS, or has served on the Artistic Advisory Team, and who currently resides within an 1 hour radius of Hampshire County, MA. -An individual with a proven record as a playwright -A writer who would benefit from being given and held accountable for writing deadlines -A playwright who understands that this opportunity is not about production or performance, but instead is about developing the text, and would benefit from that experience Submissions are requested from individuals who meet these criteria and are reviewed by the PIC Artistic Advisory team.
Salon and Social
An open-mic style public showcase of brand new works-in-progres where anyone is welcome to present original works of 10 minutes or less. We reserve time at the end for gathering as a community to discuss the pieces and get to know one another. These gatherings are a great opportunity to engage in conversation with PIC artists and serve as the first audience for new works.
If you have a play, scene, musical, song, poem, dance, or any other piece of performance art that you would like to present to a live audience, you've come to the right place. Presenters share roughly 10 minutes or less of their works. Salon and Socials are always free to attend and are held in various venues throughout Western Massachussetts twice during the summer. Dates, times, and locations for 2025 to be announced.
Check back this summer for the artist sign up sheet
Play Incubation Collective
P.O. Box 1435
Easthampton, MA 01027