Starr Reading Series
★ What
FREE readings of new plays by artists experimenting with form, language, and theatrical possibility. We feature the work of a diverse group of writers at all stages of their careers who are approaching writing for the theater in thrilling and unexpected ways.
Each Season, our team of curators selects 6-8 plays to support through our Reading Series. Each playwright's team receives artists stipends, printing services, and marketing & publicity, in addition to the dedicated support of a peer group of creatives throughout their process.
We are passionate about giving artists support and room to do their thing. The Starr Reading Series is centered on exploration, mystery, risk and discovery — carving out a special place for artists to develop their raw ideas and impulses. It expands our artistic community while giving audiences free access to the adventure of new work in motion.
2025–26 Brittany K. Allen, Hillary Gao, Mo Holmes, Nurit Chinn, Sila Puhl, Sophie Sagan-Gutherz
2024–25 Diane Exavier, Mahayla Laurence, Kara Hadden, Masha Breeze, Layla Khoshnoudi, DN Bashir
2023–24 Nia Calloway, Michael Oluokun, Lily Gonzales, Deneen Reynolds-Knott, Aeon Wade Andreas, Utkarsh Rajawat, Avi Amon, Genevieve Simon
2022–23 Marissa Joyce Stamps, Alba Delia Hernández, Divya Mangwani, Daniella De Jesús, Maya Lawson, Jesús I. Valles
2021–22 Ro Reddick, Nkenna Akunna, Amara Brady, Ife Olujobi
2019–20 Nia O. Witherspoon, AriDy Nox, Alexis Roblan, Lucas Baisch, Nazareth Hassan, Ren Dara Santiago, Nora Sørena Casey, Julia Izumi
2018–19 Jeesun Choi, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Carlos Sirah, Jonathan Payne, Diane Xavier, Seonjae Kim, Georgina Escobar, Raquel Almazan
Pre–2018 Archive Renee Roden, John Budge, Stacey Rose, Brian Lawlor, Julia Jarcho, Jenny Schwartz, Megan Murtha, Jessica Almasy, Mallery Avidon, Clare Barron, Eliza Bent, Frank Boudreaux, William Burke, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Erik Ehn, Ben Gassman, Kathryn Hathaway, Hansol Jung, Paul Ketchum, Maya MacDonald, Christina Masciotti, D.J. Mendel, Gregory S. Moss, Paz Pardo, Jonathan Payne, Max Posner, Chip Rodgers, Normandy Sherwood, Mark Sitko, Ariel Stess, Katie Ka Vang, Leah Nanako Winkler, Moe Yousuf, Phillip Howze, Kate Attwell, Kate Scelsa, Eboni Booth, Karinne Keithley, Casey Llewellyn, Zoe Geltman, Haruna Lee, Jillian Walker, Cara Scarmack, Nina Segal, Ramiz Monsef, Agnes Borinsky, Javier Antonio González, Ignacio Lopez, Lisa Clair, Melisa Tien, Kate Dakota Kremer, Corinne Donly, Whitney White
The Starr Reading Series happens annually in December. All Readings are at 7pm, free admission, no reservations necessary. This year’s Reading Series will take place November 10–December 9, 2026.
Participation in the series is an invitation-only submission process, shaped by the care and capacity with which we build each Season. The best way for us to get to know you and your work is to join us for shows and readings, say hello, and invite us to what you’re making. For more information, email srs@thebushwickstarr.org.
The Starr Reading Series is made possible with support from David Miner, The Anthony A. Sirna Foundation, and The Axe-Houghton Foundation.
