Local companies to produce world premieres of 14 one-act plays.
The Pittsburgh New Works Festival will launch its 35th season this month, partnering with local theater companies to present world premieres of 14 one-act plays. The season runs August 21 to September 14, 2025, in the Genesius Theater at Duquesne University. Three of the playwrights are from the Pittsburgh area, and one is from the United Kingdom.
President and Board Chair, Amy Joseph said, “From my early days as a participant to serving as a board member, and now my current role of president, my excitement for this 35th season couldn’t be greater. Working with this team of passionate theater lovers is both a joy and an inspiration. I love that the Festival draws together talent from across the region, and playwrights from around the globe.”
The Festival will proceed through four consecutive weekends, each designated as a Program with performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
Program A, Aug. 21 -24, will open with At the Tone, by Peter Surdo of Kennet Square, Pennsylvania, produced by Community Theatre Players of Ben Avon. Gwen and Charles, back in the ’60s, are the voices on the phone that tell you the exact time. What else might be developing? James Critchfield directs Ron Gmys and Stacy Bartlebaugh-Gmys, along with Libby Larsen and Andrew Lasswell. Next up is The Fourth Quarter, by Susan Crain McQuilkin of Morristown, N.J., reflecting different ways of dealing with retirement. Produced by the South Hills Players and directed by Jen Luta, the cast includes Mark Boles, Nancy Julian, and Christienne Miller. After this sentimental comedy, buckle up for a vampire tale as the Pittsburgh Savoyards present Quiet Tonight, by Matthew Green of Champaign, Ill. Katie Kirby directs Andrew Lasswell, Sarah Orbin, and Carly Weissert. Finally, the Red Masquers present Bay of Fundy, by David Gill of Brooklyn, N.Y. A friend arrives to take a woman to a new life after the tragic death of her son. Rachel Potts directs Shiloh Oliver and Jess Uhler.
The Festival continues the following three weekends. Program B, Aug. 28- 31, will present Lizard Brain, by Jenna Janeof Clearwater, Fla., produced by The Heritage Players; Weigh Beyond, by Anthony Morgan of Manchester, England, produced by Stray Cat Theatre Company; and Harold’s Road, by Dana Jaffe of Great Neck, N.Y., produced by the Bobcat Players.
Program C, Sept. 4-7, will present The Bowl, by Michael Buzzelli of Scott Township, Pennsylvania, produced by Riverfront Theatre Company; 43 Flights with the Truth, by Joel Doty of Ann Arbor, Mich., produced by The Summer Company; Violet and Harris, by Sam Heyman of Nashville, produced by Play on Words; and Date with the Devil, by Nathan Wagner of Pittsburgh, produced by Prime Stage Theatre.
Program D, Sept. 11-14, will present The Other Side, by Eric Suben of Mamaroneck, N.Y., produced by Iron Horse Theater Company; The Head of Seamus Delaney, by Ben Scranton of Springfield, Mass.; and Who Are We, Beth Hemming?, by Benjamin Koontz of Pittsburgh, produced by McKeesport Little Theater.
The plays were selected from more than 269 submitted earlier this year. In an anonymous selection process, each play was evaluated by readers with expertise in theater, and the companies chose the 14 to be produced from among the highest scorers. Plays were received from across the U.S., and from 12 different countries, including Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Brazil, and Australia.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
More information and tickets are available at www.pittsburghnewworks.org
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