"I just love y'all. It is a masterclass. It is perfect for getting to know new Writers."
"I'm an avid theater attendee and see almost every show here in Portland. There is nothing to compare with the Play Reading Club. It stands alone, as the experience of hearing unknown plays read by not only actors but also by regular untrained fellow audience members is such a lovely treat. We all love to hear new stories told to us in such a pure form. It delights the child in all of us!"
"I'm an avid theater attendee and see almost every show here in Portland. There is nothing to compare with the Play Reading Club. It stands alone, as the experience of hearing unknown plays read by not only actors but also by regular untrained fellow audience members is such a lovely treat. We all love to hear new stories told to us in such a pure form. It delights the child in all of us!"
February 2nd and 23rd 2026
We have two plays to share with you in February!
The Fever by Wallace Shawn
Monday February 2nd
6-9pm
The nameless narrator of this blistering monologue lies ill and alone in a dreary hotel room in a poverty-stricken country. A political execution is about to take place beneath his window. Far from the glib comforts of his own life, he struggles with memories and his own conscience, which are challenged by the misery and poverty he sees. With compassion, eloquence, and ruthless self-scrutiny, the playwright discovers that having good intentions toward the dispossessed is not enough. As the narrator reminisces and agonizes over his own responsibility for the downtrodden, he reaches the inevitable conclusion that the politically correct are guilty themselves unless they take action. At the play's conclusion, the narrator has succeeded in defining his own guilt but is uncertain whether or not he has the personal courage to join in the struggle. Aghast at his own weakness, he longs for forgiveness and the strength to earn it.
Monday February 2nd
6-9pm
The nameless narrator of this blistering monologue lies ill and alone in a dreary hotel room in a poverty-stricken country. A political execution is about to take place beneath his window. Far from the glib comforts of his own life, he struggles with memories and his own conscience, which are challenged by the misery and poverty he sees. With compassion, eloquence, and ruthless self-scrutiny, the playwright discovers that having good intentions toward the dispossessed is not enough. As the narrator reminisces and agonizes over his own responsibility for the downtrodden, he reaches the inevitable conclusion that the politically correct are guilty themselves unless they take action. At the play's conclusion, the narrator has succeeded in defining his own guilt but is uncertain whether or not he has the personal courage to join in the struggle. Aghast at his own weakness, he longs for forgiveness and the strength to earn it.
The Belle's Stratagem by Hannah Cowley/ Adapted by Maryellen Wood
Monday February 23rd
6-9pm
Hannah Cowley's 1782 play "The Belle's Stratagem" is a comedy of manners about marriage and courtship in 18th century England. Looking to further explore the themes of female agency and the power of a female collective, in this version the number of male characters has been reduced in favor of an increase in focus on the women, in order to release these women from the constricting male gaze, and expand the feeling of community and fierceness amongst those women.
Maryellen Wood will be joining us and leading the discussion after the reading.
Maryellen is a theatre artist from middle of nowhere California with a BA in Theatre Arts and two minors in Dance and Anthropology from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She has mostly worked as a performer working for companies such as Shaking the Tree Theatre, Salt & Sage, Portland Shakespeare Project, and Canon Shakespeare Company. Dabbling in other theatre mediums she has also directed Duck & Cover (Chapel Theatre Play Festival) and Caged (Cal Poly One Acts), wrote An Epilogue for the Lost Souls of Shakespearean Women (Cal Poly One Acts), and choreographed for the Cal Poly Spring Dance Concert.
Monday February 23rd
6-9pm
Hannah Cowley's 1782 play "The Belle's Stratagem" is a comedy of manners about marriage and courtship in 18th century England. Looking to further explore the themes of female agency and the power of a female collective, in this version the number of male characters has been reduced in favor of an increase in focus on the women, in order to release these women from the constricting male gaze, and expand the feeling of community and fierceness amongst those women.
Maryellen Wood will be joining us and leading the discussion after the reading.
Maryellen is a theatre artist from middle of nowhere California with a BA in Theatre Arts and two minors in Dance and Anthropology from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She has mostly worked as a performer working for companies such as Shaking the Tree Theatre, Salt & Sage, Portland Shakespeare Project, and Canon Shakespeare Company. Dabbling in other theatre mediums she has also directed Duck & Cover (Chapel Theatre Play Festival) and Caged (Cal Poly One Acts), wrote An Epilogue for the Lost Souls of Shakespearean Women (Cal Poly One Acts), and choreographed for the Cal Poly Spring Dance Concert.
Here's the Drill
Each week participants will read through a different play and have a discussion afterwards.
For each play, the roles will be placed on slips of paper in a hat, and upon arrival, participants will each pick a slip of paper, and will either read a part or be an audience member.
Workshops are held in StT’s office/rehearsal space (2136 SE 8th Ave).
Doors open at 5:30 and we'll start reading promptly at 6pm
For each play, the roles will be placed on slips of paper in a hat, and upon arrival, participants will each pick a slip of paper, and will either read a part or be an audience member.
Workshops are held in StT’s office/rehearsal space (2136 SE 8th Ave).
Doors open at 5:30 and we'll start reading promptly at 6pm
