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)

Our 2024 Plays...

Friday, September 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Nothing Gold
By Trey Everett (New York, NY), Directed by Jennifer Wagler
Nothing Gold tells the story of Thomas, a son-to-be 30 year old who has just been released after serving a 15-year prison sentence for accidentally killing a classmate as a teen. He comes home to a welcoming father, an anxious mother, and an estranged younger sister. Through moments with his family, and moments with his therapist, Thomas navigates the difficult task of reintegrating into "normal" life. When the mother of the killed teen shows up at Thomas' family's home, Thomas is forced to confront the awful situation again.
- Yorn: Josh Hall
- Thomas: Josh Lightner
- Dawn: Linda Krasny
- Steve: Timothy Brayman
- Casey: Esther Yokell
- Theresa: Sandi Miller
- Stage Manager: Amy Crow

Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Holidays
By Romney Humphry (of Seattle, WA), Directed by Sarah Gray
Clea’s brother Finn joins her on her birthday for their ongoing cribbage competition. Their mother Suzanne and her new (younger) husband Peter, a spacey entrepreneur, unexpectedly arrive, as do their father and his wife Maeve, childless and earnest (her dogs are her children). Despite the fact it’s June, the parents and their new partners immediately begin vying for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Clea’s husband Royce, whose family celebrates with a live donkey (and fiddlers) in their living room every Christmas Eve, wants in. Clea becomes increasingly paralyzed by anxiety as the race for the eventual ‘winner’ crescendos.
- Clea Gudmonson: Meaghan Bryant
- Royce Jensen: Brian Comiskey
- Finn Gudmonson: Tory Bruce*
- Suzanne Gudmonson: Summer Housler
- Peter Laughlin: Andy Anderson
- Hart Gudmonson: Tom Davis
- Maeve Gudmonson: Mary Davis
- Stage Manager: Kat Dickenson

Sweet Life
By Savannah Bruton (Jackson, MI), Directed by Tiffany Thatcher
​Familiarity is comfortable. Who do we become when faced with a challenge that is alien to us? Something the alters our life and every day interactions; are we still the same person despite these unforeseen changes? Sweet Life explores this thought through the eyes of a young girl diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 
- Arthur: Nate Nelson
- Lily: Paige Barnes
- Kate: Everly Cousino
- Jason: Jeff Gray
- Stage Manager: Autumn Cousino*

Previous Plays-in-Development

• 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.
    

• 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.
    

• 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. 
    

• 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. 
    

• 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)