Don’t miss PlayFest from Orlando Shakes - Experience new works before anyone else

Over two weekends, Orlando Shakes becomes the launchpad for bold new stories from some of today's most dynamic playwrights!

Orlando Shakes PlayFest is a two week long annual festival that provides a place for writers, theater professionals, and audiences to connect and share ideas that promote thought-provoking stories.

Audiences experience staged readings of six new works over two weekends and participate in the development of new plays, conversing with playwrights, directors, and actors while absorbing groundbreaking new works.

PlayFest 2025 will present readings of five to six new plays during the 2025-26 Orlando Shakes season. Each reading will receive about 20 hours of rehearsal time with professional actors and directors with a public reading—all with the playwright in attendance.

Finalists for PlayFest 2025 include Dead Girls Quinceañera by Phanésia Pharel, Tumbleweed by Marcus Scott, Dunk City by Stephen Brown, The Sandwich Ministry by Miranda Rose Hall, and The Mallard by Vincent Delaney. These five plays will be featured in staged readings during the festival, accompanied by audience feedback and development opportunities.

WEEK 1

• DEAD GIRLS QUINCEANERA – Phanesia Pharell (7:00pm on 10/24)

• DUNK CITY – Stephen Brown (7:00pm on 10/25)

• TUMBLEWEED – Marcus Scott (5:00pm on 10/26)

WEEK 2

• THE SANDWICH MINISTRY – Miranda Rose Hall (7pm on 11/1)

• THE MALLARD – Vincent Delaney (5pm on 11/2)

Don’t miss your chance to experience these groundbreaking new works before anyone else! Reserve your seat today!

To purchase, call 407-447-1700 or visit https://www.orlandoshakes.org/npd/playfest/ 

Check out the latest theater and performing arts news from throughout Central Florida. Orlando features an endless choice of entertainment on the stage each day, with an impressive choice of venues, including Dr Phillips Center, The Ren, Orlando Family Stage, Winter Park Playhouse, Theater West End, Funny Bone Comedy Club, SAK Comedy Lab, and more.

Orlando Shakes PlayFest is a two week long annual festival that provides a place for writers, theater professionals, and audiences to connect and share ideas that promote thought-provoking stories. Audiences experience staged readings of six new works over two weekends and participate in the development of new plays, conversing with playwrights, directors, and actors while absorbing groundbreaking new works.

Over the years, the festival has introduced over 182 new works to regional and nationwide audiences, including LaDarrion William’s Boulevard of Bold Dreams, Rachel Lynett’s Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You Too, August Wilson), Eliana Pipe’s Bite Me, Idris Goodwin’s What’s Best For The Children, Inda Craig-Galvan’s Welcome To Matteson!, Greg Lam’s Repossessed, Vincent Terrell Durham’s Polar Bears, Black Boys, and Prairie-Fringed Orchids, Deborah Brevoort’s My Lord, What a Night, Karen Zacarias’ Native Gardens, and Lauren Gunderson’s Ada and the Engine.

Out of those readings, Orlando Shakes have produced over 20 new plays in their mainstage season. Many PlayFest plays have also received productions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. Most PlayFest alumni have since been published, received critical acclaim, and awards for their work.

Orlando Shakes is a core member of the National New Play Network, a nationwide organization devoted to developing new work through the New Play Exchange, rolling world premieres, the Producer-in-Residence Program, and annual conferences.

Orlando Shakes is an active participation within the national new play community while engaging its local audiences in the latest and greatest in playwriting.

Before attending any of the events listed on Gotta Go Orlando, you should contact the organizer or venue to confirm that the event is taking place as information, changes, and cancellations can occur.

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