Co-founded by Carol Becker and David Henry Hwang, and produced by Gavin Browning, the Columbia University School of the Arts International Play Reading Festival presents readings of three plays by living international playwrights alongside conversations with the playwrights and translators. The goal of the festival is to expand contemporary American understanding of theatre beyond that of English-speaking countries, and to present new theatrical voices to US audiences. The 2021 and 2020 editions of the festival were held as a series of podcasts.
Featuring playwrights from Chile, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Lebanon, Mexico, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Thailand, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
The 2021 International Play Reading Festival
Appointment with gOD, Asiimwe Deborah Kawe (Uganda)
The Dark, Nick Makoha (United Kingdom)
This is not a memorized script, this is a well-rehearsed story, Dima Mikhayel Matta (Lebanon)
Listen to the festival trailer
Listen to the podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The 2020 International Play Reading Festival
May 35th, Candace Chong Mui Ngam (Hong Kong)
Taxi Radio, Nophand (Thailand)
Rarámuri Dreams, Camila Villegas (Mexico)
And translators Daniel Jáquez and Nophand
Listen to the festival trailer
Listen to the podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The 2019 International Play Reading Festival
The Sickness of Stone, Blanca Domenech (Spain)
You Shall Love, Pablo Manzi (Chile)
Snow, Blandine Savetier and Waddah Saab (France)
And translators Taylor Gaines and Cardidad Svich
Download the program
The Inaugural International Play Reading Festival (2018)
Time Bomb, N. Riantiarno (Indonesia)
Where Can I Find Someone Like You, Ali?, Raeda Taha (Palestine)
Shaitan Lake, Rinat Tashimov (Russia)
And translators Cobina Gillitt, Bela Shayevich, and Mais Taha
Download the program
Selection Committee
Susan Bernofsky, Writing MFA Program, Columbia University
David Henry Hwang, Theatre MFA Program, Columbia University
Morgan Jenness, Theatre MFA Program, Columbia University
Kate Loewald, Theatre MFA Program, Columbia University, and The Play Company
Christian Parker, Theatre MFA Program, Columbia University
Nominating Bodies
John Eisner, The Lark
Michel Hausmann, Colony Theatre/Miami New Drama
Anchuli Felicia King
Joanna Lee, Museworks
Roberta Levitow
Bill Rauch, The Ronald O. Perelman Center for the Performing Arts
Mark Russell, Under the Radar (Public Theater)
Ken Smith, Financial Times
Lloyd Suh, The Lark
Mfundi Vundla, Market Theatre