Fall 2011 Reading Series

This page contains events that are part of the later-development developmental and staged reading series, programs for plays that are closer to theater-ready, having progressed beyond scene nights. and the Sunday Read-Through series.

  • Staged readings are reheased with a director and produced by Sara Staley. They are $10 to $20 sliding scale for non-members.
  • Developmental readings are read by actors. They are $5 to $10 sliding scale for non-members.

All readings are free to PCSF members.

Wednesday, oct. 5, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

Arches, Balance, and Light
by Mary Spletter
Developmental Reading

Julia Morgan is one of California's most remarkable architects, designing more than 700 buildings including Hearst Castle. In her first play, Arches, Balance and Light, Mary Spletter combines historical fact with her own fantasy explanation of how this elusive and private individual designed her own success---one brick at a time.

Mary Spletter retired from a career of medical and science writing throughout the University of California system. She combined her love of writing, research and theatre to write Arches, Balance and Light. A theme of her career is translating technical information into easy-to-understand material for the general public.


Wednesday, oct. 12, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

Croesus
by Bridgette Dutta Portman
Developmental Reading

After waging an ill-considered war on Persia, King Croesus has been imprisoned, along with his wife, Lissandra, and mute son, Lydus, while the victorious King Cyrus determines their fate. Lissandra hopes to be spared, but Croesus, tormented by his own powerlessness, yearns only to be executed — and he will drag his family with him if he must. Set in ancient Lydia, Croesus explores the age-old question of free will versus determinism.

Bridgette Portman joined PCSF in Fall 2009. Her first full-length play, The Widow of Sisyphus, received a staged reading through PCSF in Spring 2010 and was a finalist in the 2011 O'Neill Playwrights Conference. Two other full-length plays, La Fee Verte and Friar Lazaro, received developmental readings in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. Her short comedies Necromance, Support Group for the Mortally Challenged and Paul der Krake have been staged by PianoFight Productions in San Francisco; Shelterbelt Theatre in Omaha, NE; and PCSF's Sheherezade festival, respectively.


Wednesday, oct. 26, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

A Plague of Miracles
by Dave Schreiber
Developmental Reading

Father Brennigan wants the miracles to stop. But after people start being healed by touching his church's Christmas decorations, Brennigan starts to realize that the miracles that have followed him his entire life have been a message. And now there's something he needs to do.

David Schreiber joined PCSF in 2010. His previous full-length play Enlightenment received a staged reading at Foothill College in June, 2010. His short play Your First Time will be shown as part of the Pan Theatre 10 Minute Play Festival in November.


Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

The Unbearable Lightness of Fishing
by John Pennington
Developmental Reading

Henry Wemple wants just one thing—a nice relaxing fishing trip. However, when the day of the big trip arrives Cybil, Henry's wife of 30 years, rudely reminds him that today of all days is her birthday. Matters go from bad to worse when Cybil makes clear she not only expects Henry to stay and celebrate, but she expects him to celebrate with his clingy daughter and drunk sister in-law and her gigolo of a lover. As if having her birthday on his special day wasn't bad enough. Can Henry escape the confines of his selfish family and get to the fishing trip he so richly deserves?

John Pennington joined the Playwrights' Center in 2010. His second play The Unbearable Lightness of Fishing was selected for a developmental reading and was a finalist at the Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwrighting contest. John has been an actor in the bay area and Chicago with over 14 stage credits to his name and is currently a member of the Central Works writers' group.


Wednesday, nov. 9, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

The Possibility
by Vonn Scott Bair
Developmental Reading

The Possibility, the first "modular play" ever written, tells the story of a man and a woman and adultery — at least, the possibility of adultery. The modules can be combined, reused, discarded and/or sorted at will to produce a full-length play, two one-acts, an evening of ten-minutes plays, or even a modern dance piece. Thus, no two productions of the play will ever be the same.

Vonn Scott Bair is a San Francisco playwright who has written the first "modular play," using modules instead of scenes.


thursday, nov. 10, 2011
Studio 250
965 Mission, Fl. 2
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$5-10 SL; members free

As Is - No Warranty
by Jaene Leonard
Developmental Reading

Mac, used car manager at Bristol Buick and a "car dog" through and through, is sittin' pretty right now – with a strong sales team, excellent numbers and a real shot at getting his own dealership. He's also got Heather: a honey who sells as good as she...looks. But can Mac, who loves the thrill ride, keep it together long enough to get what's coming to him?

Jaene Leonard trained at Atlantic Theater, Stella Adler, and with Group Theater member Bobby Lewis. Productions/readings NYC: What About Boo; Rolling Pennies; Spittin' Image; Chic Band. LA: Chic Band. A scene from Chic Band was published in Best Stage Scenes 2000. SF: Home$ickness, Oil & Water. As Is – No Warranty received a recent staged reading with Berkshire Playwrights Lab starring Grant Shaud of Murphy Brown fame.


Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011
Boxcar Theatre Studio
125A Hyde (at Golden Gate)
San Francisco
7:30 p.m.
$10-20 SL; members free

Un-Hinged
by Krista Knight
Directed by Joy Brooke Fairfield
Staged Reading

Glen, a house painter, is transfixed on the house that got away. When its childhood inhabitant returns to sell the house, Glen has no intention of letting it slip away. He's done too much for this house, and for the people who lived there. All Glen wants is to get inside.

Krista Knight has been produced by The Ontological Hysteric Theater, Walden Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Brown University and LiveGirls! among others. Winner of the 2011 KCACTF Musical Theater Award from the Kennedy Center. 2007 Page 73 Playwriting Fellow. BA: Brown University. MA: Performance Studies from NYU. MFA Playwriting: UC San Diego. Visit her website at www.KristaKnight.com.