Axial Theatre Presents a Reading of a New Play by Rita Anderson directed by John Hickok
Westchester, NY – On Saturday, May 30th at 5PM, SAFEHOUSE: The Axial Playwrights series of workshopped readings of original plays by metro area playwrights featuring Axial Ensemble actors, will present The Widow Underwood by Rita Anderson, winner of the Ken Ludwig Award - the top national prize from the Kennedy Center for “Best Body of Work.”
The reading be directed by John Hickok (Pleasantville), and will star three-time Emmy Award winning actress Cady McClain (Manhattan) and Axial Honorary Ensemble member Susan Ward (Tarrytown). Reverand Julia Macy Offinger will participate in the post reading moderation.
The reading will take place at St. John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave, Pleasantville, NY. Suggested donations are $15 adults; $10 students. Tickets are a suggested donation only.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Rita Anderson is a neurodivergent, LGBTQIA playwright whose work has been produced more than 100 times across the United States and abroad. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Playwriting, and has served as a Dramatists Guild Regional Representative as well as Faculty at Interlochen. Rita received a scholarship to The O’Neill and won the Ken Ludwig Playwriting Award, the Kennedy Center’s national recognition for “Best Body of Work.” She is also a 2024 Louise Wigglesworth Award finalist. Her plays appear in multiple Smith & Kraus anthologies, with several—such as EarlyLiberty and Saint Somebody—achieving “Best Selling Plays”. Her work has been developed at PlayPenn, The 24‐Hour Plays, Soul Rep Theatre, and Moving Parts Theatre in Paris, among many others. A three‐time Pushcart Prize nominee for her books The Entropy of Rocketman and Watched Pots, Rita also serves as a Moderator for HONOR ROLL!, an advocacy group for womxn playwrights 40+ whose goal is our equal representation in theatre.
ABOUT THE SAFEHOUSE PLAYWRIGHTS SERIES
The SAFEHOUSE program was created and developed by Axial Artistic Director Cady McClain, playwright and Artistic Director of Shades Repertory Theater Samuel Harps, Axial Associate Artistic Director/director Nate Flower, and playwright Evelyn Mertens.
ABOUT AXIAL THEATRE
Axial Theater is a not-for-profit theater company currently in its 24th season. We are dedicated to supporting the professional development of playwrights and actors through presenting staged workshops, development readings, and full productions.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3650067-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3650067-2
