On the Radar New Works Series
Let’s Take a Peek Behind the Curtain…
For the last nine years, our On The Radar (OTR) New Works Series has simultaneously provided a safe, collaborative environment for emerging playwrights and an opportunity for our patrons to “peek behind the curtain” and engage in brand new works-in-progress.
Want to Know More? Find out more about our current OTR Series.
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On the Radar
About the Program
Expanding into the OTR LAB Series just last year, this new program takes a new play or musical into the next stage of development. The cast and director have a longer rehearsal period, additional workshop performances and the opportunity to continue rehearsals and make changes between each performance. Many plays and musicals from this series have gone on to receive world premieres all over the country, including Lincoln Center, Manhattan Theatre Club and the Chance.
How it Works:
The Chance will feature a resident playwright and at least two of their works. They can be either be in one of our Staged Readings or our LAB Workshop. (More of that on Resident Playwright Tab)
Resident Playwright
Exal Iraheta
Exal (he/his) is a Chicago-based Salvi-American playwright & screenwriter by way of Houston, TX. Humorous and uncomfortable, his work explores the intersections of identity, family, violence, sexuality, and magic through his lens as a brown queer first-generation son. Exal is a 2020/2021 Goodman Theatre’s Playwrights Unit member and a selected playwright in the 2018 Fornés Playwriting Workshop. In 2019 his play They Could Give No Name was chosen for Victory Gardens’ Ignition Festival, received an honorable mention in the American Playwriting Foundation’s 2019 Relentless Award, and was a finalist in the 2020 National Playwrights Conference and the 2020 Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award. Most recently, his play Last Hermanos was selected for Magic Theatre’s 2021 Virgin Play Festival and was produced as an audio drama by A Red Orchid Theatre. Last Hermanos will premiere in Spring 2022 as part of A Red Orchid Theatre’s 2021-22 season. Exal earned an MFA from Northwestern University’s Writing for the Screen and Stage program and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Film & Video Production. He is incredibly excited to work with Chance Theater this season.
Previous Resident Playwrights
2021 Playwright
B.J. Tindal
- LAZY KINDA FREE (live stream reading) – by B.J. Tindal
- THE QUEER COUCH (staged reading) – by B.J. Tindal
2020 Playwright
Krista Knight
- MOTHER OF EXILES (LAB workshop) — by 2019 Resident Playwright Jessica Huang
- TRANSMISSIONS IN ADVANCE OF THE SECOND GREAT DYING (staged reading) —by 2019 Resident Playwright Jessica Huang
2019 Playwright
Jessica Huang
- MOTHER OF EXILES (LAB workshop) — by 2019 Resident Playwright Jessica Huang
- TRANSMISSIONS IN ADVANCE OF THE SECOND GREAT DYING (staged reading) —by 2019 Resident Playwright Jessica Huang
2018 Playwright
Joanna Garner
- GUTTING (LAB workshop) — by 2018 Resident Playwright Joanna Garner
- THE ORANGE GARDEN (staged reading) — by 2018 Resident Playwright Joanna Garner
- 100 HEARTBREAKS (staged reading) – by 2018 Resident Playwright Joanna Garner
2017 Playwright
Ted Malawer
- THE ANATOMY OF LOVE (LAB workshop) — by 2017 Resident Playwright Ted Malawer
- TIMES SQUARE PSYCHIC (staged reading) — by 2017 Resident Playwright Ted Malawer
2016 Playwright
Jenny Connell Davis
- SCIENTIFIC METHOD (staged reading) — by 2016 Resident Playwright Jenny Connell Davis
- ALICE AND FRANK (LAB workshop) — by 2016 Resident Playwright Jenny Connell Davis
- GASTON (staged reading) — by 2016 Resident Playwright Jenny Connell Davis
- THE DRAGON PLAY — by Jenny Connell Davis
* Southern California Premiere
2015 Playwright
Lauren Yee
- in a word — by 2015 Resident Playwright Lauren Yee
* So Cal Premiere - A NEW MUSIC PLAY (staged reading) — by 2015 Resident Playwright Lauren Yee
- SAMSARA — by 2015 Resident Playwright Lauren Yee
* West Coast Premiere - UNTITLED CHINESE PLAY (staged reading) — by 2015 Resident Playwright Lauren Yee
2014 Playwright
Nick Jones
- VERITE – written by Nick Jones, March 4, 2014
*World Premiere at Lincoln Center Theater, New York, Jan 31, 2015 - IMPORTANT HATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY — written by Nick Jones, October 14, 2014
*World Premiere at Studio 42, New York, Oct. 7, 2015
2013 Playwright
Marshall Pailet
- CLAUDIO QUEST — music, book, lyrics & director Marshall Pailet, music, book & lyrics by Drew Fornarola
- LOCH NESS, A NEW MUSICAL — music and book by 2013 Resident Playwright Marshall Pailet, lyrics and book by A.D. Penedo
* World Premiere, Best Reviewed Premiere Musical — Bitter Lemons Top Rated List - LOCH NESS — book & music by Marshall Pailet, book & lyrics by A.D. Penedo, May 13, 2014
*World Premiere at Chance Theater, California, Jan. 30, 2015
- TRIASSIC PARQ – THE MUSICAL — book by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo, music by Marshall Pailet
* West Coast Premiere, 3 Ovation Awards: Production of a Musical- Intimate Theater, Music Direction (Taylor Stephenson), and Featured Actress in a Musical (Kellie Spill), 11 Ovation Nominations - WHO’S YOUR BAGHDADDY, OR HOW I STARTED THE IRAQ WAR — book & music by Marshall Pailet, book & lyrics by A.D. Penedo, August 6, 2013
- LOCH NESS — book & music by Marshall Pailet, book & lyrics by A.D. Penedo, October 15, 2013
*World Premiere at Chance Theater, California, Jan. 30, 2015
2012 Playwright
Adam Szymkowicz
- RARE BIRDS (LAB workshop) — by 2011 Resident Playwright Adam Szymkowicz
- WHERE YOU CAN’T FOLLOW (LAB workshop) — by 2011 Resident Playwright Adam Szymkowicz
- WHERE YOU CAN’T FOLLOW — written by Adam Szymkowicz, February 22, 2012
- NERVE — by Adam Szymkowicz
* West Coast Premiere, Best New Play: LA/OC Examiner, Best Actress (Jessie Withers): LA/OC Examiner - HEARTS LIKE FISTS — written by Adam Szymkowicz, May 4, 2011
*World Premiere at Theatre of NOTE, California, Aug. 3, 2011 - THE ARTIST — written by Adam Szymkowicz, July 20, 2011
New Works Fund
New Works Fund sponsors receive exclusive benefits. Not only are you joining us in this important effort, you’re also getting to know artists. Take a look at the benefits below and sponsor a dramaturg, playwright, resident playwright, staged reading, or the entire OTR season today!
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Donation Level |
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| Tax Receipt & corresponding Annual Fund Benefits |
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| Recognition in Show Programs for one year |
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| Framed Photo with your Artist(s) |
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| Two Admissions to Design Preview Parties |
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| Two Tickets to Opening of Holiday Literature Series |
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| Sponsorship Listing in OTR Program |
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| Producer’s Circle Recognition in Main Series programs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| Two Admissions to Resident Playwright Reception |
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| Lobby Recognition in Annual Fund Display |
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| Invitation to Director’s Dinner events |
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| Coffee with a Founding Artist |
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| Two Tickets to “Season Bash” Awards |
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| Attend Playwright’s Lunch (FMV* $80 for two) |
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| Producer Recognition in OTR Programs |
Your Show |
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| Producer Bio in OTR Programs |
Your Show |
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| Lobby Recognition on Producers Circle Display |
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| Producer Recognition on OTR webpage |
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| Recognized at OTR performance(s) |
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Questions?
Please contact our Managing Director, Casey Long, through our Contact Us Form or call (888) 455-4212
