free reading series
2025-2026
2nd Gen is proud to announce our 2025-2026 Free Reading Series. This series is offered at no cost to the community and allows us to work with new directors, actors, and scripts.
All readings occur at 7pm on Monday evenings at the Shea’s Smith Theatre (658 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14202)
Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the gay rights movement, Perfect Arrangement merges madcap sitcom-style laughs with provocative drama as two closeted U.S. State Department employees struggle to maintain their cover – and their sanity – in 1950s America. Directed by Collin McKee.
Diane, a permaculture gardener who is actually the Greek God Dionysius in disguise, arrives in a New Jersey cul-de-sac with the mission of gathering mortal followers and restoring the Earth’s natural order. She challenges the characters’ suburban complacency and their disregard for climate change. Directed by Lily Jones.
WORLD PREMIERE! In BIG CITY, no case is too little for Parker Pry, the least famous detective in town. A send up of classic 1940’s film noir complete with false leads, femme fatales, and a cast of unforgettable characters, PARKER PRY is a brand new comedy by the authors of THE HAUNTING OF HOOVERTON HOTEL, Jacob Albarella and Jason Kaiser. Directed by Brittany Bassett-Baran.
Thank you to our Reading Series Sponsors:
Interested in Directing?
Email our Literary Director by clicking HERE.
2024/2025’s reading of PURE GLITTER: A New Play for the Gays by Broadway’s Douglas Lyons. This play will be produced in 2nd Gen’s 2025/2026 season as the second professional production ever.
L: Executive Director Kristin Bentley, Douglas Lyons, Artistic Director Kelly Copps and Literary Director Katherine Boswell R: Daniel Lendzian and Michael “Bebe” Blasdell as Stan and Rance
THE HAUNTING OF HOOVERTON HOTEL (R) is an original comedy written by Buffalo’s Jacob Albarella and Jay Kaiser. This season, 2nd Gen will present a world premiere reading of their newest collaboration, PARKER PRY: PRIVATE EYE.
L to R: Sam Crystal, Chrissy Vogric-Hunnel, Bobby Cooke, Ian Hayes, Thomas Evans, Sabrina Kahwaty, Stevie Kemp, Brett Jackson, Greg Gjurich and Anne DeFazio
