Next Reading
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE STUDIO
SHAKESPEARE IN THE DARK – by ADAM HARRELL
Irwin, a struggling theater director in the grips of an artistic slump and midlife crisis, must rediscover his creative spark when the ghost of William Shakespeare is sent by the theater gods to haunt his disastrous production of The Tempest. As fantasy, magic, and romance weave their way into his chaotic, way-off Broadway show, Irwin confronts his demons and learns to tell the story in his heart. Filled with star-crossed lovers, soliloquies, and the delightful chaos of a Shakespearean romp, this heartfelt new play celebrates the transformative power of storytelling.
Shakespeare in the Dark will be part of our Festival Within the Festival in the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works.
NOTE: IN-PERSON EVENT. This session is scheduled for 7 pm at Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St. Admission will not occur prior to the reading. Masks are optional. Please see https://portlandplayhouse.org/COVID19 for more information about health and safety at the facility. The reading is free for attendees, but donations to offset our expenses are always appreciated.
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY 8-9 – COHO THEATRE
SCENARIO SHOWCASE
Our generative playwriting and producing workshop guided will be returning to CoHo Theatre Feb. 3-9, 2025. A presentation of the plays is concludes the Scenario experience with performances Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9, from 5 to 9 pm each day. During the showcase, participants will present a short piece in development. Each night features a banquet of innovated works, followed by a lively and deep conversation in which you, the audience members, are an essential ingredient. For more information, check out https://cohoproductions.org/
TUESDAY, MARCH 4 – PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE STUDIO
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK – by MEG WILES
In a forgotten spare room in a derelict old house lives Wally, an ill-tempered ghost who has never been one for change. Kept company solely by the abandoned items of the past, Wally clings to the contents, memories, and shadows that inhabit her room. When the new homeowners decide to gut the house, Wally is thrust into turmoil as, item by item, her fondest “friends” are being ripped from her. What can you do when the past is deemed unimportant, the present holds no place for you, and the future promises only unpredictable change?
A staged reading of If These Walls Could Talk will be in our lineup at the Fertile Ground Festival!
Additional submissions are being reviewed in our screening process.
More details are on our Events 2025 Page! Kindly scroll down for more information about us.
Best wishes!
PDX Playwrights is a group for playwrights who want to meet, hear their scripts read aloud, and share feedback.
Typically we have about 20 people at each meeting: playwrights, actors, and friends. Plays are read aloud by whomever is at the table that night. We encourage you to attend our sessions even if you aren’t bringing a play. New readers are always welcome!
REGULAR PLAY-READING MEETINGS
Our regular readings occur on the first Tuesdays of each month. (We also have been meeting on third Tuesdays and also holding fifth Tuesday workshops when applicable, but are not conducting virtual sessions for the time being). In any case, our meetings are open to anyone interested in hearing new work read aloud and learning more about PDX Playwrights.
HOW DO MEETINGS WORK?
Please see our Playwright FAQ page (from the link on the right of this page) for more details. We also have tips on preparing your script for our readings.
FIFTH TUESDAYS
Occasionally, when the month has a fifth week with a Tuesday, you may be in luck. We reserve these dates for one-night workshops or presentations about an element of playwriting. Past sessions have explored structure, dialogue, breaking plays in the development process and entering contests. (Occasionally we have used these sessions for organizational planning.) When a fifth Tuesday approaches, check our events page.
TIME AND PLACE
Our sessions typically run 7 to 9 pm; some may be shorter. They are free, but a hat is passed to cover administrative costs (suggested donation $5). We have been meeting virtually for the last three years, but typically we have been meeting in person on the first Tuesday of each month at Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St., since the summer of 2022. Regular table readings of plays are on odd Tuesdays (the first and occasionally third Tuesdays of every month). Our next table reading is Tuesday, February 4, with SHAKESPEARE IN THE DARK by ADAM HARRELL. Please check the Events 2025 Page or your latest PDXP newsletter for details about this and other events.