The Sauk is dedicated to the development of new theatrical works. Each year, we present staged readings of new plays still in the process of being written. After the readings, we invite the audience to respond to what they have heard. When they can, the playwrights attend these readings and join the discussion.
These works may include adult themes and/or strong language. This is a 'Pay What You Can' event.
Photo Gallery (Click an image to englarge and begin scrolling)
Previous Plays-in-Development
Nothing Gold by Trey Everett (New York, NY)
Holidays by Romney Humphrey (Seattle,WA)
Sweet Life by Savannah Bruton (Jackson, MI)
The House By Elisa Manzini (Los Angeles, CA)
The Lost Recording By Jo Ann Simon (Danbury, CT) and Jennifer Yokell (Hillsdale, MI)
The Lion in the Snow Globe By Paul Lewis (Bainbridge Island, WA)
With Regards to Marty McFly By Linda Howard Cooke (Hastings, NE)
Living By G.M. (Bud) Thompson (Grand Rapids, MI)
The Challenge By Meaghan Bryant (North Adams, MI)
- This play received its world premiere production as part of the SAUK SHORTS 2023.
- This play received its world premiere production as part of the SAUK SHORTS 2023.
A Shore of Abundance By Pearl Moore (Cana, VA)
Their Great Magic By Terence Patrick Hughes (Lake Hill, NY)
Desert Song By Mark Cornell (Chapel Hill, NC)
- This play received its world premiere production at The Sauk in September 2022.
- An hour-long cutting of this play was taken to Michigan AACTFest in March 2023. It won!
- The hour-long cutting of the play competed in the Region 3 AACTFest in April 2023.
- This play received its world premiere production at The Sauk in September 2022.
Pre-Existing Condition By Tiffany Thatcher (Homer, MI)
2020(Click a show title to watch the live reading on Youtube.)
Gravity: A Union By Alexander Wolfe (Nebraska)
Sebastian Rising By Edward DeBuvitz (Albuquerque, NM)
Clear Blue Sky By Bruce Karp (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
The Long Wait By Sarah Gray (Jonesville, MI)
On Pine Knoll Street by Mark Cornell (Chapel Hill, NC)
- This play was produced as a fully-staged production in February 2020. A world premiere!
- This play was an award-winning play in the AACT NewPlayFest 2020.
- This play was produced as a fully-staged production in February 2020. A world premiere!
The Pattern of All Patience by Jacqueline Loy (Fort Myers, Fl)
Tipping Point by Paul McKinley (Bronson, MI)
Timmy's Big Kiss by Matthew Weaver (Spokane, WA)
Acts of Expiation by Joseph Allen Smith (Ocala, FL)
Trees by Penny Neer (Hillsdale, MI)
On Art by Josh Oberlander (Atlanta, GA)
Twelve Wild Swans by Kathryn Willis (Lansing, MI)
The Flower Girls by Lindsay McNair Patton (Fletcher, NC)
- This play was produced at The Sauk in September 2018. A world premiere!
- The first act of this play was taken to AACTFest state competition in February 2019.
- This play was produced at The Sauk in September 2018. A world premiere!
Ember by Max McCreary (Atlanta, GA)
Zombie Apocalypse: A Love Story by Tim Ambrose & Jeffrey Connolloy (Pittsford, MI)
Ephemera by MJ Dulmage (Hillsdale, MI)
The Inheritance by Bud Vear (Hillsdale, MI)
Plays-in-Development
Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.
KILLING IT
By Rebecca Kane
Directed by Savannah Bruton
- Jon – Josh Lightner
- Andy – Darren Taylor
- Rachel – Danielle Allore-Taylor
- Man - TBD
THE FOLLOWING IS
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
By Meghan Barnes
Directed by Jennifer Wagler
- Dorothy – Whitney Swance
- Aunt Emily – Summer Housler
- Old Aunt Em – Rickie Freeman
- Oz – John Kasper
- Child Dorothy – Liza Mumme*
- Child Glinda – Olivia Dube
- Man – Jeff Gray
- Woman – Mandee Leigh Howard
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.
DISCARDS
By Robert Weibezahl
Directed by Sarah Gray
- Mari – Sandi Miller
- Lloyd – Harland Wood
- Spark – Andrew Davis*
- Cherry – Mary Davis
*denotes Sauk debut
Plays-in-Development Jr.
Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m.
THE ALBINO WOMAN OF THE KAW RIVER VALLEY (DUN DUN DAAAAA!)
By Henry Beier
Directed by Tim Ambrose
- Adult Ron/Man 1/Man 2 – Bruce Crews
- Tammy – Hanna Ritchey
- Ron – Jacob Weldon
- Randy – Connor Ganzel
- Don – Everett Pendergrass*
- Grandfather – Eric Baumgartner
- Librarian/Woman 1/Woman 2 – Heather Hemingway
- The Albino Woman – Anne Conners
PLACES!
By Eleanor Gray
Directed by Chris Dube
- Quinn – Diane Langan
- Sophie – Rachel Miller
- Violet – Elizabeth McNair