In this dynamic evening of new theatrical voices, emerging playwrights share their works-in-progress with a live audience. Scenes are read aloud by actors cast on the spot.
JES WASHINGTON is a New York based actress, writer, and singer born in Memphis, TN. Received her MFA in acting in NYC. She has been gracing stages and screens for years, honing her skills, and expanding her repertoire. She has worked with some of this industry’s finest entertainers, writers, and directors. Now, she is an up and coming writer. She’s carving her own way into the world of writing, using her unique voice to tell stories of everyday heroes and loving villains. Her stories are combined with the influential and transformative power of music. Gracious for this opportunity, Jes wants to thank Classical Theatre of Harlem for this wonderful chance to share this story. Lifetime member of Actors Studio.
Nia Latriese (She/Her) is a mischievous multi-hyphenate actor, writer, and community builder. Nia is from Los Angeles and is currently based in the Wecquaesgeek-Munsee Lenape lands, known as Harlem. She holds a B.A. in African-American Studies & Theater from UCLA. She’s trained at the Yale Conservatory for Actors (2019) and the National Theater Institute (2022). Nia’s purpose is to honor her ancestors and inspire others to take radical, loving action toward constructing a more liberated world for Black Women/Femmes and the Global Majority. Credits: A Heated Discussion (Robey Theater), OMWAN’EKHUI: Person of Dark Skin (Short Film), and her directorial debut, How To Kill A First Date (Short Film). Awards: Mabel P. Robinson Emerging Artist Award (2022) from North Carolina Black Repertory Theater and Miranda Family Fellow (2022). More at nialatriese.com
Ryan George is a Brooklyn based actor/director. Raised in Miami and received his BFA in Theater Performance at UF. Acting credits include the role of Dorante in The Liar (Arvada Center), Asa Bedford in Midwives (George Street Playhouse), Trevor in The Play That Goes Wrong (Repertory Theater of St. Louis), Oshoosi in The Brothers Size (Gablestage), Sam in Blues For An Alabama Sky (Barrington Stage), and Fish in The Royale (Hippodrome Theater). He also can be heard on season two of the award winning Audio Drama Podcast VISIONARIES as well as the first season of THE LESSER DEAD. He recently directed King James at George Street Playhouse in early 2025. This is his first ever play he’s attempted to write so he’s excited and grateful for the opportunity to be part of The Playwrights Playground this month!
Charles White is a founding member of Harlem Playwrights 21, a not-for-profit playwriting workshop which has been operating since 2011. His most recent play, Unentitled, was produced by the Negro Ensemble Company, premiered in July 2023 at 59E59 Theaters and returned to that venue for a revival run in August 2024. Gong Lum’s Legacy was produced off-Broadway in March 2022 by New Federal Theatre in conjunction with The Peccadillo Theater Company. Another play, Succession, premiered at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC in August 2022 and was produced again by Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis, TN in February 2024. Charles has developed his work in New Federal Theatre’s Playwriting Workshop, and he has been trained by playwrights Kermit Frazier, Laurence Holder, Cassandra Medley, James Anthony Tyler, Richard Wesley and the late Michael D. Dinwiddie and P.J. Gibson. He is a graduate of Princeton University, where he participated in the Creative Writing Program under the late author, Wilfrid Sheed, and NYU Law School.
Roen Jones is an emerging young violinist, who, at the age of 14, has already performed in prominent public spaces, including the Metropolitan Museum and CTH’s Young, Gifted and Black.
At the core of the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Literary Series is the belief that theater has the transformative power to challenge the status quo, connect disparate worlds of thought, and, ultimately, change the world. Thus, we are invested in the development of work that shifts the conversation around representation in the theater and are dedicated to providing a platform for those voices traditionally underrepresented on the American Stage.
CTH’s Literary Series is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation and the Axe-Houghton Foundation.
Selected playwrights submit 10-12 pages of a new work in the early stages of development. Actors are cast on the spot and perform a cold reading, followed by a moderated audience feedback session. In addition to serving the development of new work, these readings give audiences a sneak peek into how new plays are created.
CTH asserts that a “Future Classic” promotes courageous and open-minded examination of controversial and critical topics that are at the heart of society. Designed for the emerging professional playwright, Future Classics offers participating writers the opportunity to showcase their new completed works and receive dramaturgical feedback. Participants work with CTH’s resident dramaturge, a professional director and a dedicated group of actors to showcase a new full-length play.
Submit your work to Ms. Shawn René Graham, Literary Director at shawnrene@cthnyc.org. No phone calls please.