The The Public Theater is doubling down on its commitment to new voices with the return of the Judith Champion New Work Series, a lineup of free staged readings showcasing four bold, full-length plays in development. The series will take place in June at LuEsther Hall, offering audiences an early look at work from rising playwrights shaping the future of theater.
Named in honor of Judith Champion — a devoted arts patron who championed the development of original plays — the series reflects her belief in nurturing playwrights for generations to come. Her legacy continues through initiatives like this one, which provide a vital platform for writers to experiment, refine, and share new stories.
This year’s lineup features works by Jasmine Sharma, Seayoung Yim, Sanjit De Silva, and Karina Billini — each bringing distinct perspectives and storytelling styles.
Sharma’s Peachy: a sorta chekhovian traumedy opens the series on June 1, weaving together timelines from 1962 and 2022 to explore family, identity, and cultural intersection through the lens of an Indi-Mex restaurant. Blending humor and history, the play examines love, survival, and the complexities of belonging.
On June 9, Yim presents Foods of the Forgotten War, a poetic exploration of memory, migration, and food. The play follows a woman’s journey to reconnect with her ancestral roots through taste, tracing how war and colonialism reshape cultural traditions across generations of Korean women.
De Silva’s The Day the Riots Began takes the stage June 15, offering a deeply personal narrative set against the backdrop of Black July in 1983. Told through a solo performance, the play examines memory, trauma, and the immigrant experience, as the protagonist revisits a pivotal moment in his past through conversations with family.
Closing the series on June 22 is Billini’s Brooklyn Boys Can’t Float, a sharp and comedic look at male friendship and vulnerability. Set during a birthday trip gone wrong, the play interrogates masculinity, emotional repression, and the hidden pressures men face in maintaining relationships.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater continues to position itself as a hub for new work. At a time when funding challenges persist across the arts, the Judith Champion New Work Series stands as a reminder that investing in emerging voices is not just valuable — it’s essential to the future of theater.