free reading series

 2026-2027

2nd Gen is proud to announce our 2026-2027 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)

A brisk 70-minute 4 person show, MOTHER.DAUGHTER.FATHER.SON  explores familiar, racial, and generational themes as well as what happens when children begin parenting their parents.

2nd Gen proudly welcomes Director Delicia Robinson, who recently completed the 2nd Gen Apprenticeship Program as a Directing Apprentice for PURE GLITTER.

In a not-so-distant future, men accused of sexual misconduct are sent to The Gradient to reckon with their mistakes and get rehabilitated. New employee Tess is eager to hold men accountable and enact change – but it might not be as simple as it seems. This fresh, stinging satire is prescient, provocative and often very funny. 2nd Gen welcomes first time director Julia Miskines. 

Oberon Play House’s director and leading men are off at war with the Axis. Determined to press on, the director’s wife sets out to produce an all-female version of Shakespeare’s Henriad, assembling an increasingly unexpected team united in desire, if not actual theatre experience. Together they deliver a delightful celebration of collaboration and persistence when the show must go on! Camilla Maxwell directs.

A WORLD PREMIERE! Matt wakes up tied to a chair in a dressing room with his memories wiped. To regain them, he must win a quiz show about his own life. He watches the memories play out before him, but he begins to struggle with his past and contemplates losing on purpose to forget everything. A world premiere developmental reading by Harris Skinner, THROUGH THE VOID welcomes Mason Beggs as Director.