Welcome to LAUNCH PAD
A Letter from our Artistic Director...
We started LAUNCH PAD in 2005 and are proud to have supported so many fabulous playwrights and plays on their journey from incubation to professional world premiere. And we know we can do better to widen the circle and welcome more diverse voices onto our stages. We've made an ongoing commitment to honor and amplify BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists through our workshops, readings, and preview productions. Together with National New Play Network, and UCSB's AMPLIFY and New and Reimagined Work, we presented the first BIPOC Reading Series Festival virtually in April 2021. Stay tuned for the second rendition of the Festival coming to you in January 2022 in person!
One of the excellent plays emerging from the BIPOC Festival was “A Medusa Thread“ by Candrice Jones. We are excited to announce this play as our Preview Production in Spring 2022. The concept of the “Preview Production” is unique in American theater: a fully realized production of a new play without the pressures of the commercial world; the play stays in previews throughout the run of the show, allowing the writer to continue revising as the piece evolves through performance. The combination of our talented students, faculty, and professional guest artists working side by side makes for a rich experience for all. More details about "A Medusa Thread" to come soon!
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Local Theater Company of Boulder, Colorado. Together, we presented a reading of Jennifer Barclay's "Yellowstone" on Friday, September 24 at 5pm in the Theater/Dance West Courtyard, under the trees.
Thank you for helping us keep theatre alive during the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming you in person for these fresh, timely, provocative, and entertaining new plays.
- Risa Brainin, Artistic Director
Upcoming Events...
Friday & Saturday / January 7 & 8, 2022
BIPOC Reading Series Festival
We are thrilled to announce our second annual BIPOC Reading Series Festival!
Four new plays receive 20-hour workshops and are presented to the public in
collaboration with National New Play Network (NNPN) and UCSB's AMPLIFY
and New and Reimagined Work.
May 16-25, 2022
A Medusa Thread
by Candrice Jones
directed by Shirley Jo Finney
Once an academic year, LAUNCH PAD presents a Preview Production, a concept unique in the American theater.
As a fully-realized production without the pressures of the commercial world, the new play stays in previews
throughout the run of the show, and the writer continues revising as the piece evolves through performances.
This year, we welcome back playwright Candrice Jones and director Shirley Jo Finney with A Medusa Thread,
which was one of the six plays featured in our 2021 BIPOC Reading Series Festival.
A new play by Franky Gonzalez
(Date TBD)
As part of our partnership with Tofte Lake Center in their role with the 4 Seasons Residency,
Franky explores a new play through one of our Reading Programs.
In The News...
The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963
written by Cheryl L. West
directed by Risa Brainin
MAY 6-22, 2022
Seattle Children's Theatre
Seattle, Washington
This is a co-commission: LAUNCH PAD, Chicago Children's Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre
Exotic Deadly: Or The MSG Play written by Keiko Green
Chosen for the 2021 National Playwrights Conference
Keiko Green, LAUNCH PAD Alum
2021 BIPOC Reading Series Festival
"...NPC 2021 represents some of the most exciting voices writing today.
I’m thrilled to be able to work with these playwrights and support their
bold and brilliant new plays through in-person opportunities this summer.”
~ Wendy C. Goldberg, Artistic Director, National Playwrights Conference
Dramatic Publishing: publisher
and exclusive licensing of
LAUNCH PAD’s Alone, Together Festival
of short plays and monologues!
If you are interested in licensing the Alone, Together compilation,
please contact CustomerService@dpcplays.com or visit their website.
For updates on the LAUNCH PAD Program like us on Facebook!
Take a moment to flip through the LAUNCH PAD brochure!
