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As part of the Playhouse’s commitment to being a home for artists to develop new plays and musicals, Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley created the DNA New Work Series in 2013.
DNA offers playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, culminating in public readings. This process gives audiences a closer look at the play development process, while allowing the Playhouse to develop work and foster relationships with both established and up-and-coming playwrights.
The DNA New Work Series has been a launching pad for numerous projects that have gone on to full productions in future Playhouse seasons, including Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar’s The Who & The What; Chasing the Song, by the Tony Award-winning team of Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (Memphis, Diana); Michael Benjamin Washington’s Blueprints to Freedom; UC San Diego MFA graduate Jeff Augustin’s The Last Tiger in Haiti; Miss You Like Hell, by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown; Kill Local, by UC San Diego MFA graduate Mat Smart; What Happens Next, by UC San Diego MFA graduate and faculty member Naomi Iizuka; The Luckiest by Melissa Ross; The Coast Starlight by Keith Bunin; SUMO by Lisa Sanaye Dring; this season’s Derecho, by Noelle Viñas; and next season’s All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me, by Noah Diaz. In addition, Marike Splint’s 59 Acres was developed in the DNA Series prior to its premiere in the 2024 WOW Festival.
The readings of the DNA New Work Series take place at the Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center (PDC) at La Jolla Playhouse.
WEEK 1: DEC 5 – DEC 8
By Mat Smart
Directed by Shelley Butler
Thu, Dec 5 at 7pm and Sat, Dec 7 at 7pm
PDC at La Jolla Playhouse
Over the span of 24 hours in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a close-knit birding group is turned upside down when some of its members see a rare bird and some don’t. A quiet comedy about healing, the power of wonder, and how to move on after missing out.
By Kirsten Greenidge
Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
Fri, Dec 6 at 7pm and Sun, Dec 8 at 2pm
PDC at La Jolla Playhouse
Western Massachusetts, 1852. On a stormy winter night, newly-married freewoman Sarah waits for her husband Hap to return home from clearing the roads. But the knock on her cabin door comes from Matilde, a formerly enslaved woman who claims to need shelter for the night – but might be looking for a lot more. Kirsten Greenidge’s suspenseful new play examines what freedom buys us – and what we still may owe.
Created by Robert Farid Karimi
Fri, Dec 6 at 4pm and 5:30pm
Sat, Dec 7 at 4pm and 5:30pm
Sun, Dec 8 at 11am and 12:30pm
Seuss 1 Rehearsal Room at La Jolla Playhouse
American Dream Casino is a playful, interactive, casino-like experience that celebrates the power of immigrants’ risk to achieve the American Dream. In this special preview edition, 21 participants at a time will discover the mysteries behind the Casino and the characters who work there. The experience lasts roughly one hour, during which participants must answer the question: how much are you willing to gamble for your own American Dream?
This is a WOW Work-In-Process, the second year we are developing an early-stage WOW project as part of the DNA New Work Series. Audiences will be playing games of chance and interacting with performers. This is a playtest, where audiences will experience a portion of the overall project in its early phase of development. Audience feedback and engagement are integral to helping shape the future of this new work.
WEEK 2: DEC 12 – DEC 15
By Eliana Theologides Rodriguez
Directed by Jacole Kitchen
Thu, Dec 12 at 7pm and Sat, Dec 14 at 7pm
PDC at La Jolla Playhouse
Seven high school girls convene for their annual dance team bonding sleepover, navigating the power imbalances between them and competing to be the most “experienced” in the room. But what happens when one girl goes too far to prove herself to the rest? Alternately hilarious, harrowing and heartbreaking, Marble Rooftop fearlessly explores consent, agency and the price we pay to fit in.
By Cheryl L. West
Directed by Timothy Douglas
Fri, Dec 13 at 7pm and Sun, Dec 15 at 2pm
PDC at La Jolla Playhouse
Eurie, Muriel, Tyrique and Mr. Benny work inside the United States’ most sacred hall of government, faithfully but invisibly serving those in power – until a typical day turns into a nightmare. In the aftermath, these essential workers are forced to grapple with the need to be seen – by their country, each other and even themselves.
All DNA readings are general admission seating. Tickets are free and reservations are required because space is limited. We recommend RSVP-ing swiftly to avoid disappointment.
If you RSVP and can no longer attend, we ask that you release your tickets so someone else can enjoy this experience. Contact Patron Services on (858) 550-1010 or [email protected].
Thank you to our DNA supporters.
Tickets for this event have been underwritten through the generosity of the Sheri L. Jamieson New Work Development Fund as well as our DNA New Work Series co-sponsors:
Greta and Stephen Treadgold – Festival Sponsors
Margaret and Tony Acampora
Ralph and Gail Bryan
Jendy Dennis Endowment Fund of the JCF
Hal and Hilary Dunning
Dean J. Haas
Dwight Hare and Stephanie Bergsma
Judy and Bill Garrett
Robin and Larry Rusinko
Karen and Jeff Silberman
Peggy Ann Wallace
With additional support from Stacy Cromidas and Ruth Gilbert
If you would like to join with them in supporting new work at the Playhouse, please consider a tax-deductible donation. Gifts of $250 and above receive membership benefits throughout the year, including program recognition and exclusive invitations to join us for special events with theatre artists.
Top banner photo credit: from the 2023 DNA New Work Series reading of HUMAN MUSEUM; photo by Samantha Laurent.
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