Upcoming Events
Master Class Reading Series
The Master Class Series features work from emerging playwrights that have shown a commitment to classes, dramaturgy, and refinement of a single full-length play. An interview and rigorous selection process result in a cohort model with actor cold readings as part of the development process.
Playwrights sharpen not only their writing but their feedback skills toward fellow playwrights’ work in a uniquely supportive environment.
These Master Class Series events are readings of plays-in-progress with a moderated “talk back” session for feedback and reactions from actors, audience, playwright, and directors. All plays read in this series are directed, rehearsed, and performed with minimal staging.
Below you’ll find the schedule for the series, and you can see the synopsis of any show by clicking on its title. Register to see any of these readings for free by clicking the button below.
Apr 14 – Asylum by Patricia Krahke
When the wife of an immigration lawyer returns home to find her husband is harboring an Afghan refugee in their apartment, she is forced to confront what it means to be loved and safe.
Apr 28 – Course Society by Steve Nordmark
Perennial country club reject Henry Auslander commits to a screwball scheme that he hopes will finally get him accepted. He must help the senior club chairman run away from home to join a ridiculously exclusive secret golf society.
May 12 – Gertrude & Margaret by Judy Lea Steele
Two Queens slandered by Shakespearean pop culture meet for coffee. In a spiraling conversational, confrontational journey they face the grim price paid for wresting power in a world designed, dominated and controlled by patriarchy.
May 26 – Blow-Out by Kelsey Austin
Boundaries are murky, cruelty is the norm, and the mundane is all this family knows in rural southern New Jersey.
Jun 09 – Corazón Cicatrizado by William Bietsch
Three young workers at a piñata workshop in Mexico City navigate the complications of love and freedom under the watchful eye of the matronly owner. Each harbors a personal trauma connected to Mexico’s turbulent past and present. Their decisions on the eve of Independence Day change the trajectory of their lives forever as cycles of history come crashing down. (Presented in Spanish)
Jun 23 – Facing the Shadow by Shelia Payton
The year is 1859, two years before the outbreak of the Civil War. The Free Women of Color Literary Society is having its monthly meeting when the members are faced with a potentially life altering decision: whether to risk their families’ freedom to help a slave escape.
Jul 07 – An Unbuilt Life by Elizabeth DeSchryver
A widow investigates a mysterious painting and discovers her life was built on a lie. Revealing the truth may cost her everything—and may do more harm than good.
Sep 01 – Buddha’s Birthday by Amy Crider
With her mother’s stressful birthday celebration approaching, a new-age professor is urged by her husband to go on anti-anxiety medication. While resolving to meditate instead, enlightenment lands on her doorstep.
Below is our events calendar which includes readings and classes. Click on the event to find out more and click “More Details” to open the event in Google and follow the links to the appropriate event page. Scroll further down the page to learn about our various reading series and fundraisers.
Readings
Click the button below to learn about our Saturday Reading Series, Playwrights Aloud, and class showcases.
Fundraising
Chicago Dramatists has a number of events to fundraise for the company. Our main event, La Nuit is linked below.
Did you miss our gala on the 7th? Well you’re in luck! You can now watch it whenever you want on our Youtube channel (closed captioning is also now available).
We want to thank everyone who came out and supported us this year, especially our event Sponsor The Hill Group!
You can still donate by texting “Give” to (872) 201-1077 or by clicking the button below!
Also, thank you again to all of the incredible artists and community members who came together to make this event happen. Chicago Dramatists could not exist as it does without your love, support, and art.