Reading Theater Project reveals upcoming season
Reading Theater Project has recently revealed the upcoming season of innovative, regionally inspired theater, all bound together by the theme of “Embracing Our Humanity.”
The season will kick off with “Proud,” a play crafted by Judd Lear Silverman, a talented playwright hailing from Berks County. The production narrates the tale of a peculiar incident during a prolonged three-day traffic congestion on the Schuylkill Expressway. Peacocks, having escaped from the Philadelphia Zoo, embark on a secretive mission and march alongside the highway. The plot unfolds from their unique perspective and stems from a factual event. Kimberly Patterson is set to direct this captivating play at the WCR Center for the Arts on Nov. 7-9 and 14-16.
Subsequently, the 11th annual 5-Minute Fringe Festival, themed “Legacy,” will feature daring and creative performances by artists and playwrights from various regions. The event, commencing on Feb. 27, 2026, and continuing through March 16 at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education in West Lawn, will showcase a blend of theater, dance, music, and poetry. This year’s Fringe production will be overseen by Jewell A. Brown, with Sean Sassaman serving as the stage manager.
In the spring of 2026, the world premiere of “Banshee,” a play by renowned Berks County playwright, Adam Richter, will take center stage. The narrative unfolds high above the River Bandon in County Cork, Ireland, as Nancy Donough, and others are haunted by the mournful cry of the banshee, echoing across generations. Jody Reppert is set to direct this mesmerizing piece, with dates and locations to be disclosed at a later date.
The Play Reading Series, under the theme of “Disruption,” will showcase three noteworthy plays composed by local and regional playwrights. Each play will be depicted as a staged reading and accompanied by a thoughtful discussion involving the playwright, director, and actors. Richter will be curating the series, with submissions for plays accepted until Sept. 30 at ReadingTheaterProject.org. The selected plays will be announced in November.
Those interested in auditioning to collaborate with the company can do so on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross United Methodist Church in Reading. Additionally, theater technicians and designers looking to engage with the project can reach out via email at [email protected] or by phone at 484-706-9719.
Reading Civic Theatre is gearing up to host its inaugural Cabaret night since relocating to a new venue in Exeter Township three years ago. “A Cabaret of Favorites” is set to delight audiences on Sept. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. The performance will feature a diverse cast of 18 talented performers, ranging from ages 14-22, as they showcase varying selections from well-loved productions like “Rent,” “Footloose,” and “West Side Story.” The applaudable production will be directed and produced by Jeannette DeAngelo, with a remarkable team comprising Patrick Grinage, Samantha Grinage, Angela DeAngelo, May Goebel, Ed Stallman, Brandon Kegerize, and Linda Bechtel.
Furthermore, Susan L. Pena, a seasoned writer and music critic, has introduced her latest literary endeavor, “Letting Go of Forever.” A poignant poetic memoir, Pena will be conducting a reading and book signing event at Simply Bold Cafe in West Reading on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Pena’s background, as reflected in her numerous publications, emphasizes her strong ties to the literary and poetry community.
Lastly, the Foundation for the Reading Public Museum recently unveiled the acquisition of a unique painting by artist Tulie Speight. Recognized as the sole oil painting by the artist in an American public collection, the painting, titled “Portrait of a Young Woman,” adds significant value to the museum’s diverse collection dedicated to championing works by women artists. Sister of the renowned painter, Francis Speight, Tulie’s birth in North Carolina and initial training under Ida Poteat illuminate her artistic journey, leading to this distinguished work finding a home at the museum.