Cast, Creative Teams Set for Next Week's ESPA Drills Reading Series

Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts has announced the casts, creative teams and performance schedule for the annual ESPA Drills Reading Series on August 24 and 25. Now in its sixth year, ESPA Drills is the annual new play development program providing staged readings to four playwrights. The plays are workshopped under the guidance of the ESPA staff and will be presented before an audience of industry peers Off-Broadway at The Duke on 42nd Street.

Announcing the writers, directors, and casts for the 2015 Series:

August 24 at 5:00pm
DANNYKRISDONNAVERONICA
By Lawrence Dial
Directed by Shelley Butler
Assistant Director, Alex Keegan
Featuring Sarah Nina Hayon, Rebecca Henderson, Alfredo Narciso, Christina Norris, and Jeanine Serralles
"If parenthood feels this much like purgatory, why are we all smiling?"

August 24 at 8:00pm
GRADUATION DAY
By Emily Daly
Directed by Suzanne Agins
Assistant Director, Drew Jordan
Featuring Claire Buckingham, Emma Clark, Kathleen Littlefield, Montgomery Sutton, and Jessica Vera
"Your profile pic doesn't die with you."

August 25 at 12:00pm
ROUND SHE GOES
By Karina Richardson
Directed by Lee Sunday Evans
Assistant Director, Melisa Annis
Featuring April Matthis, Jacqueline Pereda, Socorro Santiago, and Amie Tedesco
"We really need to stop becoming our mothers. And grandmothers. And beauty pageant handlers, and sex-ed teachers, and ice cream peddlers, and..."

August 25 at 3:00pm
THIS SWEET AFFLICTION
By Blake Hackler
Directed by Elena Heyman
Assistant Director, TJ Weaver
Featuring Bethany Caputo, Bianca Crudo, Kaitlyn Fouts, Sammi Katz, Ivey Lowe, Jessica Luck, Jessie Shelton, and Auden Thornton
"Anna's dying to be an actress. No really, she's dying to be an actress. And now, she's viral."

All readings will be held at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street (229 W 42nd Street, between 7th & 8th Aves.) and are free to the public. Reservations can be made by visiting primarystages.org/espa/espa-programs/espa-drills.