News Summary
The South Carolina New Play Festival is set to showcase vibrant theater events, performances, workshops, and contests, promoting local talent and new works.
Greenville to Host South Carolina New Play Festival from August 7-10, 2025
The South Carolina New Play Festival (SCNPF) is set to take place in Greenville from August 7 to 10, 2025, showcasing a vibrant array of theater events designed for audiences of all ages. The festival will feature live performances, play readings, workshops, and contests that aim to elevate local talent and promote new theatrical works.
Festival Highlights
One of the main attractions of the festival will be the Outdoor Variety Stage at Falls Park, which on August 9 and 10 will offer free live performances, local vendors, and interactive entertainment. Additionally, the Spinx Market Live Arts Market & Fair will be held on August 9 from 9 a.m. to noon on Greenville’s Main Street, featuring various live arts organizations from across South Carolina.
The Next Broadway Star Scholarship Contest will also take center stage, spotlighting the talent of South Carolina high school students. This year, the contest began with 50 semifinalists from audition tapes, narrowing the competition down to just nine finalists, who will perform live for a chance to win scholarships of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000.
Diverse Programming
The festival will include a series of engaging play readings, showcasing a variety of themes and styles. Productions such as “Merlin Returns,” a musical parody featuring Piff the Magic Dragon, and “The Break,” which centers on relationship struggles, will be presented, alongside Aurin Squire’s “My Favorite Sociopath” and “The Drought Girl,” a story that explores the dynamics of unlikely friendships.
On the final day of the festival, August 10, attendees can look forward to a special cabaret performance by Mary Kate Morrissey, well-known for her role as Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked.” Some play readings have already sold out, but there will still be opportunities to enjoy the outdoor entertainment at Falls Park.
Additional Activities and Features
In addition to performances, the SCNPF will offer workshops and masterclasses that provide participants with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the theater arts. Christina Gelsone, an acrobat, will take on the role of ringmaster for circus-style performances occurring on August 9 and 10, featuring acts such as Paris the Hip Hop Juggler and Nouveau Sud.
The festival is directed by West Hyler, who along with various theater professionals, is committed to fostering a hub for theatrical innovation in Greenville. The 2025 season is expected to showcase significant new works, including a developmental workshop for “The Untitled Josh White Play,” exemplifying the festival’s dedication to commissioning and promoting fresh artistic expressions.
Supporting Local Talent
The South Carolina New Play Festival is designed not just as an entertainment event but also as a platform to support local performing arts groups and new works. The festival aims to create an inclusive atmosphere where both established and emerging talents can connect with the community and cultivate a love for the theater arts.
For those interested in attending, detailed information about the festival schedule and ticketing can be found at scnpf.org. With a diverse lineup of performances, workshops, and contests, the SCNPF promises to be a major celebration of theater arts, bringing together the Greenville community in a meaningful way.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: South Carolina New Play Festival Returns
- Greenville Journal: SC New Play Festival Spotlights Piff the Magic Dragon
- Playbill: Mary Kate Morrissey and More Set for Festival
- StyleBlueprint: Southern Events in August
- Broadway World: Cast and Creative Teams Announced
- Wikipedia: Theatre
- Google Search: South Carolina New Play Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theatre
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
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