2023 Festival
New Yorkers,
the Jewish Plays Project is back.
The JPP is proud to announce its return to New York City after a three year hiatus, in a fantastic partnership with the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan!
The Festival of New Jewish Plays at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan will feature the winners of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 National Jewish Playwriting Contests in the JPP’s signature Reading+ format (script-in hand readings with targeted design support), created by the city's best actors, directors, and designers.
These three plays were chosen by the combined efforts of more than 100 artists and 2,500 audience members in New York, Israel and six U.S. cities - as well as through online video and podcasting competitions.
Wed, Nov 30, 7 pm | 10th Annual Contest Winner: Oklahoma Samovar
By Alice Eve Cohen
directed by Eric Nightengale
In 1887, two Latvian teenagers flee the Russian army and become the only Jews in the Oklahoma Land Run. A century later, their daughter reinvents their story, aided by ghosts, blintzes and strong Russian tea.
Thu, Dec 1, 1 pm | 11th Annual Contest Winner: Madeleines
By Bess Welden
Directed by Annette Jolles
Spanish translation by Christina Ruiz de Luque
Spiced with poetry, Yiddish, and Spanish, Madeleines is about a family of Jewish women grappling with how to love each other through shared grief and the solace of baking.
Sponsored by Ellice and Jim Papp
Thu, Dec 1, 7 pm | 9th Annual Contest Winner: A Moving Picture
By Jennie Berman Eng
Directed by Rebecca S'manga Frank
An NYU student's screenplay about a WWII Mercedes Benz labor camp collides with a legendary professor and the dark secret of his Hollywood success.
Sponsored by Michael Halpern and Glenda Turner
Even better, the reading of A MOVING PICTURE will be co-presented with Kendell Pickney and The Workshop, North America’s first arts fellowship centering the work of JOCISM (Jews of Color, Jewish-Indigenous, Sephardi & Mizrahi) artists & culture-makers. Rabbi Pickney will join us for a fascinating talkback after the reading.
