OLD PUEBLO PLAYWRIGHTS
37th Annual New Play Festival
April 2–5, 2026 • Invisible Theatre, Tucson
The Old Pueblo Playwrights 37th Annual New Play Festival (NPF) presents staged readings of eight original works by seven playwrights at Tucson’s venerable Invisible Theatre this April. Each play is performed just once—script in hand, on a simple set, with full lights and sound. Post-performance talkbacks invite the audience to participate in shaping these new works.
“Like Hamlet, we believe the play’s the thing,” notes 2026 Festival Coordinator John Vornholt. “As always, our annual celebration of Tucson theatre has something for every taste and attention span. And our ‘pay what you will’ policy allows for every budget.”
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
WHEN | PLAY & DETAILS |
Thursday | Debra Vassallo: “HOA Blues” The HOA fund is down to $77.13; streets are filled with potholes, liability insurance is set to expire, and a hedge fund plans to tear down homes and build high-rises. What’s the Sparkling Springs board to do? Cast: Elvia Bow, Dave Cavallero, Roseann Couston, Kay Ewy, Rob Sanders, Joe Smith; Liisa Rose Facilitator: Liisa Rose |
Friday | Mel Hector: “AI AI O” Whose intelligence is more “artificial”? How does AI impact ethical choices? Are meaningful safeguards even possible? Cast: Kevin Chess, Meagan Jones, Joe Smith, Halsy Taylor, Hannah Taylor, Ellie Vought, Jeff Webster Facilitator: John Vornholt |
Saturday | Liisa Rose: “Clutch” Gunshots, watermelon, a Mallard duck. A pair of siblings deal with their shared childhood trauma in different ways. Cast: Roark Polzin, Petra Polzin Facilitator: Leslie Powell |
| Leslie Powell: “What a Trip” Two sisters tangle with a federal agent and learn to see each other as never before. Comedy ensues. Cast: Sydney Flynn, Kim Lowry, Steve Waite Facilitator: Gavin Kayner |
| Leslie Powell: “Change” In a world of “haves” and “have-nots,” three characters trapped underground learn lessons of late-stage capitalism and the dangers of disconnection from basic humanity. Cast: Sydney Flynn, Kim Lowry, TBD Facilitator: Gavin Kayner |
| Kristen Kallen-Keck: “Moving Day” A missing cat might just derail a couple’s big, exciting move. Cast: Drew Kallen-Keck, Robin Mirlocca Facilitator: TBD |
Saturday | John Vornholt: “The Chemo Lounge” Wherever we may be on the outside, we share our demons, decisions, here as we fight to survive. Cast: Adrian Cory, Eric Everts, Meagan Jones, Robin Mirlocca, Stephanie Sikes, Joe Smith Facilitator: TBD |
Sunday | Adrian Cory: “Don’t Feed the Troll” When an op-ed columnist’s world is ripped apart, she seeks to take down the online troll causing her despair. Strong language, depictions of violence, and sexual content. Cast: Chad Eggen, Meagan Jones, Drew Kallen-Keck, Mattie Klass, Tristan McCrocklin, Kira McNeill, Courtney Pulitzer Facilitator: Steve Duson |
VENUE & ADMISSION
WHERE | Invisible Theatre — 1400 N First Avenue @ Drachman, Tucson, AZ Fully accessible: wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and restrooms. |
WHEN | Thursday, April 2 through Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
ADMISSION | No reserved seats. Pay what you will at the door — cash, check, or VENMO (@theoldpuebloplaywrights). No credit cards. Free bottled water. Donations welcome! |
ABOUT OLD PUEBLO PLAYWRIGHTS
Old Pueblo Playwrights, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been inspiring writers to create new dramatic works for four decades. Table-reads and critiques of original works take place Monday nights at 7. Old Pueblo Playwrights is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
Website: oldpuebloplaywrights.org • Donate: PO Box 775, Tucson AZ 85702 or VENMO @theoldpuebloplaywrights
MEDIA CONTACTS
John Vornholt, OPP President / Festival Coordinator: 520-548-3484 • johnvorn@aol.com
Adrian Cory, OPP Communications Coordinator: 206-851-2818 • adriancory1@gmail.com
# # #
-------------------------------------
TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com
Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment