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PHASES - A Staged Reading Series expands on New Moon Theatre Company's mission to present underproduced works by presenting staged readings of 10 pieces that have not been produced in Memphis within the last decade, if ever.
In 2026, we are thrilled to present our inaugural series directed by 10 directors in their New Moon directing debut, to feature 3 premieres of works by Memphis-based playwrights, and to provide performance opportunities for up to 56 individuals.
Each presentation will feature a full reading of the script, a curated audience discussion, snacks, beverages, and the opportunity to find a work to present as a full production in future seasons.
MEET OUR CREATIVE TEAM
2026 Series Cohort
DIRECTING
Kaylea Jo Egnor
Marc Gill
Jari Head
Christina Hernandez
Katie Houston
Claire D. Kolheim
Cleavon Meabon, IV
Max Robinson
Hunter Steele
Lymonte' Thomas
PLAYWRIGHTS
Emily Draffen
Justin Burgess
Savannah S. Miller
DRAMATURGY
Austin DeVine
Savannah S. Miller
Kevin Cochran,
Director of PHASES
FULL SERIES OF 10 STAGED READINGS
TO BE ANNOUNCED SPRING 2026
FEATURING 3 PREMIERES FROM LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS
HEAVENS
TO BETSY
A New Play
By Justin Burgess
Directed by Katie Houston
July 15, 2026
TheatreWorks @ the Square
2085 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
About HEAVENS TO BETSY
A pre-apocalyptic comedy. On the first day at her new job, an eccentric woman named Betsy Cardona, mistakenly triggers the launch of a nuclear bomb. To save the day, and the world, she’s forced to navigate a byzantine network of Cold War-Era machinery put in place after devastating budget cuts. Betsy has a tight deadline and nothing to help her but a mostly-redacted manual and a mechanic with a hammer. Can she stop the bomb in time or cause a worldwide nuclear apocalypse?
CAST
To be announced
THE DEATH OF
ALAN CAMPBELL:
A WILDE AFFAIR
A New Play
By Savannah S. Miller
Directed by Hunter Steele
December 9, 2026
TheatreWorks @ the Square
2085 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
About A WILDE AFFAIR
Based on ten pages of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, THE DEATH OF ALAN CAMPBELL: A WILDE AFFAIR is an exploration of the title character’s demise in the wake of Gray's destruction. After Gray implies he will blackmail him for his sexuality, Alan Campbell is called upon to dispose of the body of Basil Hayward. When we next hear about him, we are told that he has committed suicide. But what actually happened?
CAST
To be announced
MARY BENNET'S LIVING
A New Play
By Emily Draffen
Directed by Christina Hernandez
December 16, 2026
TheatreWorks @ the Square
About MARY BENNET'S LIVING
A slice of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, reimagined. Know-it-all Mary Bennet is tired of being teased and misunderstood by her family. Upon learning Mr. Collins will be visiting Longbourn, she determines to secure a marriage proposal from him so she can escape them--but quickly learns that she may not know as much as she thought.