Join us Thursday nights in July and early August for a special series of informal, community play readings celebrating empowerment, collective resilience, and solidarity in the face of oppression. Each evening features a different thought-provoking play, explored aloud in a casual, collaborative setting designed for discussion and reflection—not performance.

The venues are accessible, with parking and restrooms on site. Bring a dish to share, settle in at 6 pm, and enjoy a welcoming space to read, listen, and connect over food and powerful stories.

Each gathering will run approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, offering plenty of time for shared reading, conversation, and community building. Whether you’re a longtime theater lover or totally new to play readings, all are warmly invited to join in this celebration of collective strength and shared voices.

RSVP & Reading Opportunities

Please RSVP if you plan to attend, and let us know if you’d like to read a part. We warmly welcome both familiar and new faces and voices to Vermont Theater Company (VTC)! Reading roles will be offered with care and consideration by the artistic director to support a safe, inclusive, and engaging experience for all participants.

No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and an open heart. We look forward to gathering in community to honor these vital stories.

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOiar_ED71xaipyoeh41PHTgKk8QPjIyAqyh7ahAlZNryfrA/viewform?usp=header

This reading series features plays that explore mature themes including violence, oppression, death, sexuality, and strong language. While these works are rich in meaning and social relevance, they may not be suitable for young children or those sensitive to these topics. We encourage attendees to consider their comfort level and needs before participating.

Schedule:
July 10 (MEMORIAL PARK)
Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets
Set during the Great Depression, this powerful ensemble drama follows a group of New York taxi drivers who are preparing to strike for fair wages and better working conditions. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, the play explores how collective action can confront economic injustice and ignite solidarity among the oppressed.

July 17 (MEMORIAL PARK)
A Bright Room Called Day by Tony Kushner
This play includes adult themes and language, and discussions of violence and despair
Set in 1930s Germany as Hitler rises to power, this politically charged drama blends past and present to explore resistance, fear, and hope. The characters navigate the encroaching darkness with courage and defiance, reminding us that even in the bleakest times, collective strength and moral conviction can fuel the fight for justice.

July 24 - no reading this week

July 31 (MEMORIAL PARK)
Dance Nation by Clare Barron
This play includes adult themes and language, discussions of sexuality including masturbation and sexual awakening
A sharp, contemporary coming-of-age story about a group of young girls preparing for a dance competition. Beneath the glitter and sweat, the play confronts themes of ambition, identity, and the complicated bonds of female friendship, revealing how empowerment often grows in community—even amid confusion and chaos.

August 7 (MEMORIAL PARK) co-hosted by Eli Coughlin-Galbraith
I, Joan by Charlie Josephine
This play includes adult themes and language, and depictions and discussions of violence, martyrdom, and trauma
A bold reimagining of Joan of Arc’s story through a modern, queer lens, I, Joan challenges traditional narratives of heroism and martyrdom. This intimate and defiant portrayal celebrates self-determination and the courage to forge one’s own identity against societal constraints.