The primary mission of Silverthorne Theater Company’s Theater Thursdays Play Reading Series is to support playwrights in the development of new theatrical work. Theater Thursdays often highlight full-length scripts by playwrights local to Western Massachusetts and the greater New England region, with a focus on writers whose voices have been underrepresented in theatrical production. Theater Thursdays provide playwrights with an opportunity to experience their work embodied by skilled actors in a semi-staged reading.

Playwrights also have the opportunity to receive audience feedback through a guided post-show discussion, designed to center the playwright’s questions and needs. We also aim to utilize Theater Thursdays to bring new work to audiences in Western Massachusetts, and to allow them the opportunity to engage constructively and thoughtfully in the process of helping to develop new plays.

Our Theater Thursday Play Reading Series was established in 2019 with a selection of eight works read live over the course of the year. In the summer of 2020, we presented three play readings online. In 2021 we presented four plays both in person and online followed by live discussions with the playwrights.

Theater Thursdays in 2022 will be offered free of charge before live audiences followed by discussions with the playwrights.

This year’s series is supported in part by a grant from the Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Colrain, Deerfield, Greenfield, Northfield, and Shelburne Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

BORN WITH TEETH

by Liz Duffy Adams

Directed by Brianna Sloane

May 11, 2023

7:30 pm

at The Barn Theater

715 Federal Street, Belchertown, MA

An aging ruler, an oppressive police state, a restless polarized people seething with paranoia: it’s a dangerous time for poets. Two of them—the great Kit Marlowe and the up-and-comer Will Shakespeare—meet in the back room of a pub to collaborate on a history play cycle and flirt like young men with everything to lose.

THE BUILDING

by Betel Arnold

Directed by Kyle Boatwright

February 16, 2023

7:30 pm

at The Divine Theater, Gateway City Arts

92 Race Street, Holyoke, MA

Catalina and her grandmother are surrounded by the mysteries in the building – including secrets about her mother and the father of Catalina’s clandestine boyfriend, Arturo. Will the women’s desire to protect Catalina lead to chaos or a happy ending?