Plays By People is an annual performance presented in collaboration with Premiere Stages at Kean University. The event features staged readings of dramatic works by the Matheny Arts Access writers, performed by actors from Premiere Stages.

This year’s featured work includes:

“Deadly Vapors” by Christopher Saglimbene is a dark origin story about power, betrayal, and the making of a legend. After a mysterious trip with his father leads to betrayal, a young boy named Tomas is taken by the secretive Lin-Kuei clan and forced into a life of brutal training. Under the guidance of a reluctant mentor, he discovers a powerful ability to vanish into smoke. When the truth about his past is revealed, Tomas must confront the man who sold him and decide what kind of warrior he will become.

“Space Odyssey” by Amy Myers is a series of poignant monologues featuring the perspectives of three individuals—Steve, Jamie, and Amy. Steve longs for a celestial escape where he can be free from name-calling and the physical toll of a world recovering from illness. For Jamie, the Moon represents a sanctuary of “aspirations” where the imperfections and “rushed” nature of daily life simply fade away. Meanwhile, Amy dreams of a space where wheelchairs are unnecessary and families can be whole again, free from the constraints of complicated realities. Together, their voices weave a moving portrait of the human need for a “calming area”—a place where, despite life’s challenges, everyone can finally get along.

Performance Schedule

Saturday, March 14 at 3 pm – Kean University in Union, NJ
Saturday, March 28 at 3 pm – Matheny in Peapack, NJ

This event is free, but registration is required.