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The Next Draft Series is Avalanche Theatre's ongoing new play incubator.

Over the course of 3-4 months, Avalanche develops new work by emerging Chicago playwrights through readings, feedback sessions, and mentorship, culminating in a workshop production of the plays at the end of the process. Chicago theatre leaders such as artistic directors, literary managers, and creative producers are invited to the workshop productions in order to provide playwrights access to companies who may be interested in producing the plays. The purpose of the Next Draft Series is to fully develop the most exciting and challenging new plays being written in Chicago today, to foster a community that is supportive of writers, and to provide opportunities for these plays to go on to receive full productions.

For information on how to get involved, visit our Submissions page.

Cycle 3: June 2024

  • How to Kill a Rodent
    How to Kill a Rodent
    Sat, Jun 01
    The Understudy
    Jun 01, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    Jun 01, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    By Eleanor McCaughey Canadians Guy and Carrie take a road trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania only days before Groundhog Day, in an effort to assassinate Punxsutawney Phil on live television.
  • How to Kill a Rodent
    How to Kill a Rodent
    Mon, Jun 03
    The Understudy
    Jun 03, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    Jun 03, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    By Eleanor McCaughey Canadians Guy and Carrie take a road trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania only days before Groundhog Day, in an effort to assassinate Punxsutawney Phil on live television.
  • Infinity Burns
    Infinity Burns
    Sat, Jun 08
    The Understudy
    Jun 08, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    Jun 08, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    By Felix Abidor Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century monk, is sentenced to death for his radical beliefs in an infinite universe.
  • Infinity Burns
    Infinity Burns
    Mon, Jun 10
    The Understudy
    Jun 10, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    Jun 10, 2024, 8:00 PM
    The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
    By Felix Abidor Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century monk, is sentenced to death for his radical beliefs in an infinite universe.

Previous Next Draft Cycles

Cycle 2

body, no organs

by Dizzy Turek

October 20 & 22, 2023

Cycle 1

Time is a Color and the Color is Blue

by Melanie Coffey

June 24 & 25, 2023

Cycle 1

Lucid

by Camilla Dwyer

June 22 & 24, 2023

Cycle 2

Homunculus

by Andrew Piechota

October 19 & 21, 2023

Cycle 1

Black Bear Island

by Karissa Murrell Myers

June 23 & 25, 2023

The Next Draft Series is presented with support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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