Company in the News September-2025

See what PlayGround-Chicago Writers and Company Members are up to this September!

Dana Hall’s script, Refracted Light, will be having its world premiere at the Eclectic Full Contact Theatre in Chicago. A script which was developed and workshopped by EFCT for over a year. “Refracted Light” tackles sibling rivalry, parental expectation, generational mental health challenges, and the strength of a familial bond in one of the most honest, funny, and heartwarming shows you’ll ever see.” It runs August 29 – September 27 at The Edge Theater – 5451 N Broadway, Chicago. Tickets available here. 

J.S. Puller’s play, WINTER’S END (developed with PlayGround) was named a finalist in Wild Imaginings’s Epiphanies New Works Festival for 2025.  It will be going up for a staged reading at Wild Imaginings later this year. More information found here.

Andrea Berting is producing and hosting her annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser, a burlesque and variety show titled “Breast in Show.” This is the seventh iteration of the fundraiser, benefiting Recovery on Water and SurvivingBreastCancer.org, two 501(c)(3) organizations supporting breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caretakers.

Jay Rehak’s short comedy, Doctor J’s Magic Spray is being produced by the “Gather by the Ghost Light” troupe in Le Chat Noir Theater, Augusta, GA on October 11th.  The acting troupe will also be doing an audio podcast of the “Doctor J’s Magic Spray” which can be heard here.   The 3 character play  tells the story of a young couple who get more than they bargain for when they make fun of a carnival barker for selling a magic spray which forces people to speak the truth.

Toby Inoue’s play Owl Calls an Emergency Meeting will be part of Break A Leg Production’s Annual Slam 2025 in New York on Sept 27 at Polaris North Studio 245 West 29th St. 4th Fl. Admission is free. More information found here.

Sheri Flanders will be teaching improv at the Robin Hood International Improv Festival in Nottingham England in September. More information found here.

Alan Maass’s new short play Old Friends Once (which began its life as a PlayGround prompt!) will get a full production as part of Chicago’s venerable Rhinoceros Theater Festival in September. Jack and Emily’s party was over ages ago. But one guest hasn’t left. An old friend, actually, who lost track of the time. Or not. Directed by Marlene Martin and featuring PlayGround actor Tiemen Godwaldt, along with Emily Absher and Michael Thibeault. Performances on Friday, September 12, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, September 13, at 5 p.m.; and Sunday, September 14, at 7 p.m., at the Jarvis Square Theater, 1349 W. Jarvis Ave. In a double bill with “Dave Who Is Not Dave (And Maybe Never Was)” by Adam Webster. Tickets available here.

Paige Kim Mesina is currently the assistant director on Wish You Were Here at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, which opens on September 21st. In September, she’ll also be performing in “98% Boy 2% Milk” at Emerging Artists Theatre’s Spark Theatre Festival NYC. The sketch show will be making its Off-Broadway premiere after its run at The Second City earlier in 2025.

Katherine Swan’s short play, Pony, will be performed as part of the Greenhouse Festival of New Work at the Broadwater in Los Angeles in September. Her play Red Bell will have a staged reading as part of the Student Playwriting Festival at The Barrow Group in New York.