Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The First Annual Gene Frankel Theatre Festival to Feature Over 20 Debut Plays

Performances will run from August 4 - 17.

By:
The First Annual Gene Frankel Theatre Festival to Feature Over 20 Debut Plays

This August the inaugural Gene Frankel Theatre Festival will take palce in NoHo featuring new theatrical works. Running from August 4–17, the two-week festival will showcase an exciting lineup of 25 one-acts and short plays, selected from over 100 submissions. Performances run nightly and on the weekends at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre which has been featuring groundbreaking new work for over seven decades. All featured plays are New York premieres, with many also making their world debut.

A distinguished jury panel—Thomas R. Gordon, Francesca Ravera, and Thomas G. Waites—will recognize excellence in acting, directing, and playwriting. Awards will be given for Best Male Actor, Best Female Actor, Best Director, and Best Play in both the one-act and short play categories. Winners will be announced on August 17 during a Gala and Awards Ceremony, which will also include live performances by guest artists Thomas G. Waites, Francesca Ravera, Jason Lee, and more.

Gene Frankel Theatre’s owner and artistic director Thomas R. Gordon has curated, in collaboration with award winning actor Francesca Ravera, a unique lineup featuring original work by some of New York's finest playwrights. 

Gordon shared why he was driven to create the festival, “I was inspired to do this festival by my former business partner Gail Thacker, who is also the former owner of the Gene Frankel Theatre. Gail is also doing a festival in August with Lucky Pearto at the GFT called 15 Minutes of Frame, so I thought it would be great to have August be a month of festivals. I also wanted to add my own personal touch to this festival to make sure we have a great time and that we are presenting great theatre. We are looking to create new opportunities for artists and unique shows for our audiences. We want to invite talented artists to not only join our community, but the New York City theatre scene”.

Ravera went on to say, “What I love about this festival is that it not only awards artistic excellence, but it also fosters community engagement and connection within the theater scene. It’s a space that supports boundary-pushing work and amplifies vibrant, bold voices and the impact of their work. Audiences can expect a diverse program of short plays and one-acts that range from sharp comedies and gripping dramas to innovative works. Each piece is selected for its strong storytelling and distinctive voice, ensuring a compelling and dynamic theatrical experience”.

Click Here to Get Tickets
More on La MaMa
Recent Articles
AFTERWARDS to Premiere Off-Broadway at LaMaMa This Fall
AFTERWARDS to Premiere Off-Broadway at LaMaMa This Fall
8/6/2026
Need more Off-Off-Broadway Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


BROOKLN'S BRIDGE - A New Musical - SHE Built the Bridge!  in Off-Off-Broadway BROOKLN'S BRIDGE - A New Musical - SHE Built the Bridge!
The Space at Irondale (8/07-8/23) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Broadway Magic Hour in Off-Off-Broadway Broadway Magic Hour
Broadway Magic Hour: Magic Show (7/25-1/02)
Broadway Takes On The 80s in Off-Off-Broadway Broadway Takes On The 80s
The Cutting Room (9/14-9/14) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Lilith in Off-Off-Broadway Lilith
The Tank (8/07-8/22) PHOTOS
Oh, Kentucky! in Off-Off-Broadway Oh, Kentucky!
Center at West Park (8/22-8/22) PHOTOS
Oil & Whiskey in Off-Off-Broadway Oil & Whiskey
The Bitter End, Laurie Beechman, Prohibition, The Rat NYC (7/15-8/12) VIDEOS
Rock Never Dies in Off-Off-Broadway Rock Never Dies
Hard Rock Cafe (5/29-8/30) PHOTOS VIDEOS
That Math Show in Off-Off-Broadway That Math Show
Theater555 (6/11-8/16)
The Merry Wives of Windsor in Off-Off-Broadway The Merry Wives of Windsor
Stag & Lion Theatre (8/06-8/16)
Ms. Tucker Will See You Now  in Off-Off-Broadway Ms. Tucker Will See You Now
Don’t Tell Mama (8/16-8/16)