Photo Flash: First Look at Goodman Theatre's 2016 New Stages Festival

The three "developmental productions" featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights, are underway. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the casts in action below!

All productions in New Stages are designed by Kevin Depinet (Set), Rachel Lambert and Noël Huntzinger (Costumes), Jesse Klug (Lights) and Richard Woodbury (Sound). In addition, three one-time-only staged readings appear during the final weekend of the festival ("Professionals Weekend"), including: Florissant & Canfield by Kristiana Rae Colón, directed by Monty Cole; Amy and the Orphans by Lindsey Ferrentino, directed by Scott Ellis; and And Moira Spins by Kirsten Greenidge, directed by Lisa Portes.

New Stages runs September 21 - October 9 in the 400-seat flexible Owen Theatre; all productions and readings are recommended for ages 14+. Tickets are free, but reservations are required; call 312.443.3800, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival or the box office (170 N. Dearborn).

Michael Gomez (Kenny) and Joe Dempsey (Peter) in Blue Skies Process, a play by Abe Koogler

Michael Gomez (Kenny) in Blue Skies Process, a play by Abe Koogler

Meighan Garachis (Amy) and Guy Massey (Kristan) in Blue Skies Process, a play by Abe Koogler

Karen Rodriguez (Reina) in Blue Skies Process, a play by Abe Koogler

Meighan Garachis (Amy) and Guy Massey (Kristan) in Blue Skies Process, a play by Abe Koogler

Mia Park (Luo Na/Dr. Gao), Wai Yim (Wen/Director Zhang), James Saito (Chen/Old Yang), Jo Mei (Yin-Yin/Pei-Pei), Rammel Chan (Little Yi) and C.S. Lee (Stone/Kuan) in King of Hell's Palace, a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.

Rammel Chan (Little Yi), C.S. Lee (Stone/Kuan) ), James Saito (Chen/Old Yang) and Wai Yim (Wen/Director Zhang) in King of Hell's Palace, a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig

Celeste Den (Pearl/Lili), Wai Yim (Wen/Director Zhang), Mia Park (Luo Na/Dr. Gao), C.S. Lee (Stone/Kuan) and Jo Mei (Yin-Yin/Pei-Pei) in King of Hell's Palace, a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig

Mia Park (Luo Na/Dr. Gao), Celeste Den (Pearl/Lili), Rammel Chan (Little Yi), Wai Yim (Wen/Director Zhang), James Saito (Chen/Old Yang) and Jo Mei (Yin-Yin/Pei-Pei) in King of Hell's Palace, a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig

Michelle Krusiec (Jasmine/Han-Han) in King of Hell's Palace, a play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig

Anthony Lee Irons (Delano), Keith Kupferer (Roger), Ryan Kitley (Brian) and Dan Lin (Kevin) in Support Group for Men, a play by Ellen Fairey

Ryan Kitley (Brian), Steve Wojtas (Officer Nowak) and Elena Marisa Flores (Officer Delgado) in Support Group for Men, a play by Ellen Fairey

Anthony Lee Irons (Delano), Jeff Louis Kurysz (Alex) and Keith Kupferer (Roger) in Support Group for Men, a play by Ellen Fairey

Anthony Lee Irons (Delano), Keith Kupferer (Roger), Ryan Kitley (Brian) and Dan Lin (Kevin) in Support Group for Men, a play by Ellen Fairey