PU FIRST PEEK Reading Series 2024: June 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

The Playwrights Union – an inclusive group of writers working in theater, film and television that actively fosters growth for L.A.-based playwrights and provides a supportive artistic community – is pleased to announce its 14th Annual FIRST PEEK reading series of new work, June 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at City Garage Theatre at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, CA (Bergamot, Building T1, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 - please utilize the directions below).

We hope you can join us for our 14th Annual FIRST PEEK reading series featuring brand new work drafted during our February Writing Challenge. Come participate in the process as we explore the creation of nine new full-length plays, hosted by our friends at City Garage in Santa Monica's Bergamot Station Arts Center. Tickets are free, but we encourage advance reservations due to limited seating! If the reading you want to attend is sold out please contact the organizer to be put on a waitlist.

SATURDAY, June 8

5:00 PM SELF-LOVE by Brianna Barrett

A college freshman tries to figure out love, friendship, and what the heck gender is while being haunted by the ghost of her future self.

8:00 PM WOUND CARE by Jennie Webb

After meeting her troubled, recently deceased mother—who gave her up for adoption as an infant—Terra is presented with the choice to take part in a government reparations program and finds herself facing more of life’s surreal hurdles. Wound Care is a play about searching for what will make things right and uncovering what has value.

SUNDAY, June 9

2:00 PM ATWATER by Matt Schatz

Two couples are trapped together in a small house on LA's East Side during an apocalyptic rain storm. There's also a talking bird.

5:00 PM PROVENANCE by Jennifer Maisel

Canvas. Pencil. Paint. How can one piece of art tear at the hearts of generations?

FRIDAY, June 14

8:00 PM COMPOST by Matt Hoverman

Just another darkly comic fable about a boy, his bloody axe and his magical compost pile. Consider yourself trigger-warned.

SATURDAY, June 15

5:00 PM DIWALI PARTY by Priya Mohanty

Shreya Das, the torchbearer of Indian tradition in Long Island, finds her legacy threatened by the arrival of Brooklyn Dane, a fervent newcomer eager to embrace Indian culture. Amidst a clash of generations and values, Shreya grapples with her identity, ultimately embarking on a journey of reconciliation and rediscovery.

8:00 PM THIS IS CRAZY by Deb Hiett

Sometimes life throws you a curveball, or, in Laila and Jackson's case, a giant, pointy, mysterious (and possibly intergalactic) Thing. Will they be able to hold on to their understanding of how the world works, achieve their hard-earned dreams, and still look their oddball neighbors in the eye again? Life is full of surprises, but this is crazy.

SUNDAY, June 16

2:00 PM VALENTINES by Vasanti Saxena

Mia and Beth have a beautiful life in a beautiful home in beautiful Los Angeles. When an attractive young visitor stops by, will their beautiful bubble burst?

5:00 PM it’s forever in there, or FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT by Ashley Rose Wellman

Two amateur conflict journalists who were kidnapped for ransom during an ill-advised trip to an active war zone are released after years of captivity. They struggle to adjust to “normal life” while navigating their complex feelings for each other, the enormous debts they owe their loved ones, and the horrific ramifications of what happens after you fuck around and find out.

Covid-19 Safety Policy

Audience members are welcome to wear masks inside the building.

VENUE

City Garage Theatre at Bergamot Station

Bergamot, Building T1, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404

City Garage's performance space is located in Building T1, colored red in the map below. Please use the below directions. Google and Apple maps may steer you wrong.

Directions from the 10 Freeway West: Take the 10 Freeway West to the Cloverfield/26th Street exit. When getting off at this exit, make a right onto Cloverfield Blvd. Then make a right turn at the first light which is Michigan Avenue. Take Michigan Avenue till the road ends (about a quarter mile). At the end of the road there’s a black fence on your left marked Bergamot Station. Enter and park. City Garage is in the T1 building all the way to the left (see map below).

Directions from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood areas: Take Olympic Blvd. west to Cloverfield Blvd. Make a left on Cloverfield Blvd. Take a left on Michigan Avenue (the first traffic light after making the left on Cloverfield). Take Michigan Avenue till the road ends (about a quarter mile). At the end of the road there’s a black fence on your left marked Bergamot Station. Enter and park. City Garage is in the T1 building all the way to the left (see map below).

Directions from Santa Monica and Venice beach areas: Take Pico Blvd. to Cloverfield Blvd. and make a left. Take Cloverfield a mile or so (you’ll go over the 10 Freeway). Immediately after the 10 Freeway make a right on Michigan Avenue. Take Michigan Avenue till the road ends (about a quarter mile). At the end of the road there’s a black fence on your left marked Bergamot Station. Enter and park. City Garage is in the T1 building all the way to the left (see map below).