UPCOMING WORK

In March 2008, Origin is pleased to announce the First Annual Inspire/Expire Irish Theatre Festival (five days-five plays-five subway lines). From a short list of fifteen award-winning Irish playwrights, Origin has selected five, Gary Duggan, Pat Kivevane, Morna Regan, Ursula Rani Sarma, Abbie Spallen and invited them to New York City. On their arrival, each playwright will be designated a New York city subway line. During the next five days, each writer will explore the neighborhoods along that line. Inspired by their time in the city, the playwrights will each write a 30 minute play. The plays will receive their American premieres off-Broadway as part of Origin’s 2008 season. For booking information call 212-253-8300.

In April Origin will announce the winning playwright for their 2008 new play commissioning award, the new play will be inspired by the life of Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary and nationalist Roger Casement

Free Events- open to the public.

Critically acclaimed Origin Theatre Company return to Glucksman Ireland House for the fourth annual Monday’s of May play reading series.
Monday May 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

Four Evenings of new plays, from award winning contemporary Irish and European playwrights, some being launched in the U.S. for the first time.

Monday May 5th 2008: 7.30pm

Origin Theatre Company presents Midden by award winning Irish playwright Morna Regan.

Awards for Midden include- Edinburgh Fringe First Award, a nomination for The Irish Times Theatre Awards and the Heidelberg European Author’s Award.

Midden is a story of five women, from three generations, and a prodigal daughter's return. After 15 years in Philadelphia, Ruth has built up a business successful enough to bring her home to Derry. But instead of the welcome she has longed for her arrival provokes instant strife, opening old scars and revealing incendiary secrets.

Directed by Jessica Bauman

Monday May 12th 2008; 7.30pm

Origin Theatre Company presents Lenin’s Shoe by Romanian playwright Saviana Stanescu. Her play Waxing West was the winner of the 2007 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Script.

Lenin’s Shoe is an intimate look into the world of East European immigrants living in New York after the fall of Communism and their struggle to redefine the word 'home'. Vlad, the crippled son of a Russian Mafioso, plans to kill his father - now owner of a restaurant in Queens. Vlad comments on reality by immersing himself into a virtual world of blogs, the only place where he can be himself.

Directed by David Sullivan

Monday May 19th 2008; 7.30pm

Origin Theatre Company presents Gryf Head by award winning Welsh playwright Lucy Gough. Ms. Gough has been short listed for the BBC Wales Writer of the Year Award, John Whiting Award and The Theatre Wales Writing Award.

Gryf Head lends a fresh, potent new meaning to the expression urban legend it mixes the legendary with the ultra-modern to create a unique, uncanny looking-glass world. Each image, tale, or character is familiar, but the whole is like nothing you’ve ever seen.

Directed by Liza Milinazzo

Monday May 26th 2008 ; 7.30pm

Direct from Ireland, the 2007 Stewart Parker Award winning play will be launched in America, the winning playwright will be in attendance for this evenings event –information below

Origin Theatre Company New York
Artistic Director George C Heslin
in association with
The Stewart Parker Trust Ireland

is pleased to announce an exciting addition to
Ireland’s most prestigious playwrighting award.

On April 26th 2008, award-winning Irish playwright Sebastian Barry will, on behalf of the BBC, announce this year’s winner of The Stewart Parker Award and the Origin Initiative.

From this year forward, in addition to winning the prize money, the recipient of the Stewart Parker Trust Award will be flown to New York where his or her work will be presented at Origin Theatre Company’s annual play reading series, Mondays of May. The series is now in its fourth year at New York University Glucksman Ireland House.

This additional honor will immediately introduce the winning playwright to New York City’s renowned theatre community of artists, audiences and press.

Established 20 years ago in tribute to Northern Irish playwright Stewart Parker, The Stewart Parker Award annually honors and promotes Ireland’s hottest new playwriting talent.

The Origin Initiative is the latest in a series of Origin Theatre Company’s structured programs aimed at premiering new work in New York. Since 2002 Origin has introduced the work of 23 Irish and European playwrights to North America. Origin has created cross-cultural links with some of New York’s finest institutions, including The Irish Consulate, The British Consulate , NYU Glucksman Ireland House, Fordham University Irish Studies Department and The Wales International Center. Our International Producing Partners include the Dublin-based theater companies, Guna Nua and Fishamble Theatre.

Previous winners of the Trust's annual awards have included Conor McPherson, Enda Walsh, Sebastian Barry, Mark O'Rowe, Gary Duggan and Paul Meade, many of whom have been launched in the U.S. by Origin.

This new association with The Stewart Parker Trust is a natural step for Origin Theatre Company, as both organizations share a passion for nurturing new work by emerging Irish playwrights. We invite you to join us in launching this exciting new program.