Company in the News June-2025

See what PlayGround-NY Writers and Company are up to this June!

Christian Missonak’s new 10 minute play “Flight Plan” will premiere at Bloom! 10 Minute Play Festival, presented by Daisy Theatricals, at Studio 3 of New York City Center June 1st at 7:30pm. Click here for tickets.

Madi Fabber’s play “crabby” will be performed as part of ANT Fest at Ars Nova at 7pm on Friday, June 13. The show follows Arden, who, after being laid off, joins a carcinization support group for people seeking to evolve into crabs for financial compensation. Additionally, Madi’s play “Best in Show” was a finalist for The Breaking and Entering Theater Collective’s Summer Rooftop Reading Series.

Bailey Jordan Garcia’s play, “Thanks for the Mammaries!”, originally written for and produced by Playground-NY, has been published by Smith & Kraus in the anthology “We/Ourselves, Twenty-Five 10-Minute Plays Celebrating Gender Diversity”.

Michael Hagins, the artistic director of C.A.G.E. Theatre Company, was selected to premiere his newest one-man show for the 2025 Downtown Urban Arts Festival. The absolutely true story of Michael Hagins and how he did every Shakespeare play…or What You Will! Michael Hagins may be the only African-American artist to ever take part in every play of William Shakespeare’s complete Canon. He tells the story of his work, going through the plays and the people that changed his life and guided him to this amazing feat; but as he recounts it all, he learns that with every great achievement and life changing moment, comes a great loss. Come and listen as Michael proceeds to tell his story… Shakespeare style! Written and performed by Michael Hagins Directed by Melissa Meli Projections and Technical Direction by Adam Sherwin Performing for the Downtown Urban Arts Festival in Theatre Five at Theatre Row Studios, 410 W. 42nd Street Friday, June 27th at 8:00 pm

Jully Lee performed in the staged reading of JESA by Jeena Yi, directed by Mei Ann Teo, presented by Ma-Yi Theatre and Second Gen Productions on May 25. Coming up next, Jully is directing WHERE I’M FROM by Howard Ho for Pan Asian Repertory’s NuWorks Festival. Two performances on June 17 and June 21 at Theatre Row.

Dana Leslie Goldstein’s short, Shakespeare-themed play D.O.J. (not that J.), which was originally written for PlayGround, will be presented by Red Bull Theater at Symphony Space in NYC. Comfort and Joy, also originally written for PlayGround and presented as part of Holiday Surprise, will be seen in Maine as part of A Staged Affair. Comfort and Joy will also be turned into an audio play in June by All Out Arts, featuring PlayGround’s Sarah Guilbault and Julia Crowley, and directed by Eva Burgess.

Melinda Gros’ new play, A Guide for the Perplexed: The Shiva Edition, will be presented as part of the 2025 Jewish Short Play Festival on June 23rd at the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture

Nathaniel P. Claridad’s production of “Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood” recently won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences – the piece was also nominated for seven other Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Director.

Kathryn Ryan’s short play, NIGHTMARES SPRING FROM AMERICAN DREAMS, was included in RiffRaff NYC’s Immigrant Stories: Life In America Festival at the Rat in Brooklyn. It was directed by PlayGround-NY’s own Abigail Rosen and featured Stephanie Jeane Toussaint and Ethan Williams.

Howard Ho’s autobiographical play with music WHERE I’M FROM will be performed as part of Pan Asian Rep’s NuWorks Festival. The one-act play will be directed by Jully Lee and star James Seol and Viet Vo. The show will feature original songs by Howard Ho. Performances are June 17th and 21st at 7pm at Theatre Row. For more information, go to https://www.panasianrep.org/nuworks-2025

Austin Ku (PlayGround Directing Program alum) will be directing the new short musical “Pearl of the East” for NAAProject’s “Discover: New Musicals” concert on 6/23.

Jei (some of you may know me as Janelle Lawrence). I’m a multidisciplinary artist, medicine maker, and director of Earthseed Farmhouse—a Black-led creative and healing space based in Craryville, NY. Through my work, I hold space for BIPOC wellness, storytelling, and connection to land through mindfulness, herbal care, and communal gathering. I’m writing to invite you to Liberation Table, a Juneteenth celebration rooted in joy, remembrance, and collective care. 📍Where: Earthseed Farmhouse, Craryville, NY 📅 When: Thursday, June 19th, 2025 🎟️ Tickets: Tiered pricing – $50 / $75 / $115 👟 Dress code: Come as you are, comfy 🧒🏾 All ages welcome – youth encouraged! What to expect: ✨ A tea party to open 🍴 A Southern-inspired, farm-to-table shared meal 🎤 Local artist performances 🧘🏾‍♀️ A wellness session for Black farmers + land stewards 🌾 A moment to gather in joy and care for one another RSVP here: https://bit.ly/liberationtable Artist lineup to be announced soon! We’ll have masks and tests available for anyone who’d like to test on site. This is a family-friendly gathering, and we’re doing all we can to create a space that’s nourishing, celebratory, and deeply rooted in love. Feel free to share this invitation with other folks of color in your circles—especially those who could use a moment of rest, connection, and joy.