 Cold Reading: Vaclav Havel Night! Wednesday, March 19, 2025 7-10 PM ET In Person & On Zoom Join us this month as we explore the work of Vaclav Havel. One of the most fascinating figures in modern theatre, Havel was a playwright, poet, political prisoner, and eventually president of the Czech Republic for 13 years. RSVP here to join us in person in Manhattan or virtually on Zoom! SUPPORTING GOOD WORK At each Cold Reading, we ask attendees to consider supporting an organization doing good work. Last time we gathered, we pointed folks to The Trans Justice Funding Project. The TJFP moves money to trans-led grassroots groups and projects with trust and no strings attached. They center trans justice in the US and US territories and honor and amplify the ways communities organize, create and shift culture, commit their love and care, and fight like hell for trans liberation. Donate here.  It CAN Happen Here!
By Melody Brooks, Katrin Hilbe, Tess Howsam, Daniel Jacobs and Susan Quinn Directed by Katrin Hilbe March 6-30 Culture Lab LIC 5-25 46th Avenue, Long Island City, NY GET TICKETS Fans of The Nobodies Who Were Everybody will love It CAN Happen Here!, a multi-media experience from New Perspectives Theatre Company and Culture Lab LIC that weaves together three strands of storyline: the achievements of the Federal Theatre Project, which employed tens of thousands of artists from every demographic working in every theatrical genre and which brought performances into every corner of the U.S.; the ground-breaking work of its fearless leader, Hallie Flanagan, whose vision shaped the story-telling and aesthetics of the most impactful productions; and the political consequences, which encompassed the breaking of racial and social barriers and earned the disapprobation of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), whose legacy of attacks on Theatre and the Arts continue to this day. Ground-breaking artists from NPTC's and CLLIC's creative teams are collaborating with director Katrin Hilbe to take the audience on a fast paced and stylized journey from HUAC hearings to Federal Theatre performances, from Hallie's home life to labor strikes, from the beginnings of an impossible undertaking to a triumphant success to a devastating loss. Learn more about the production and get tickets here! The TIA team will be attending March 23rd performance — we hope to see some of you there!
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 Theater in Asylum presents a Cold Reading of Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus aka DOCTOR FAUSTUS Wednesday, January 22, 2025 7-10 PM ET Hybrid! In person in Manhattan and on Zoom Join us on January 22nd to read one of history’s greatest tales of ambition and demonology. Meet the scholar Faustus who conjures and subsequently enters into contract with the devil Mephistopheles. Journeys and cruelties ensue with the likes of Helen of Troy, the Pope, and – of course – Lucifer himself. It’s 2025 in America. What better time to question: “Is not all power on earth bestowed on us?” RSVP for more details!
What is a Cold Reading? For 10 years, Theater in Asylum has been gathering actors and non-actors to read (cold and without rehearsal) great plays. Following each reading, we discuss it, asking questions like, “What stood out?” “What is the play asking us?" and “How would you direct it here and now?” It’s something of a book club, but we read the entire book together on the spot. No expertise or great acting is needed. The stakes are low (there’s no possibility of extension) and high (this is opening and closing night!). The aim is to enjoy reading and discussing theater, and to build confidence in it. How does it work? Each Cold Reading begins with introductions so we know who’s in the room. We always read Theater in Asylum’s Community Agreements. Then a facilitator (the only one who needs to know the play beforehand) gives us a brief introduction to the play including who wrote it, when, where, and if there is any critical context we should have before diving in. Some plays have an intermission. Finally, we discuss it. Here’s the rough schedule of a Cold Reading:
Can I read? Yes! We try to shuffle roles around, prioritizing new folks. Do I have to read? No! You’re welcome to just listen. Do I need to be an actor? No! Do I need to read/know the play beforehand? No! Everyone is reading it “cold.” Are there rehearsals? No! Does it cost money? Is this a paid gig? No and no! Do I have to buy the script? No! We’ll give you one. If you’re able, we encourage everyone to bring a device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) to read the script. Mark your calendars!7/3/2023 June is drawing to close and that means we’re a little over a month away before The Nobodies Who Were Everybody opens. We’re about to enter into rehearsals and cannot wait! Make your plans now and book your tickets! Before we open the show, we’re holding a fundraising event where we will read the wild and real hearing that pitted Hallie Flanagan against the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1938 about her role leading the Federal Theatre Project. This will be at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg on Monday, July 17 from 6:30-8pm. It’s free (though we hope you will donate at the event) and open to all. In addition to the reading, there will be music, drinks for purchase, and time to mingle! You can RSVP here. Recent Happenings  We had a cold reading of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Prospect Park on Wednesday, June 21 in honor of the summer solstice. Thanks to everyone who came!  Paul and Katie attended the New York Independent Theatre (NYIT) Awards on Monday, June 26. As a part of the leadership team of the League of Independent Theatre, Katie helped to produce the event. Don’t they look great?!  We had our first rehearsal for The Nobodies Who Were Everybody on June 29. We begin every production process with a dinner party to get to know each other and read and discuss the play together. 5 weeks 'til opening!
Fall is here, and so is fall theater!10/6/2022  A scene from our preview performance of The FTP Show at Undiscovered Countries’ 10th Anniversary Show last month. Photo by LPC Photography Fall has arrived in New York City, as have the usual trappings of the season - cooler weather, changing leaves, all pumpkin everything, and, of course, fall theater! After a busy summer of development on The FTP Show, we here at Theater in Asylum are hard at work gearing up for our 2023 season. Between applying for grants, planning a full production of The FTP Show and getting ready for our annual fundraiser (watch this space!), we’re taking in all the exciting work our friends in the indie theater scene have created this season. Read on to learn more about what we’re up to, as well as some of the upcoming projects we’re most excited about! Cold Readings Continue this Month!  This month, we’ll be hosting two exciting Cold Readings, both online and in person. If you’re not already familiar, Cold Readings is a play-reading series focusing not on development, but on reader engagement. Each night a facilitator introduces the play and its context, we read the play without rehearsal, and finally we discuss. We dive into plays without the pressure of performance and cherish the opportunity to learn about our artform. No theater training is required to read and the group is always growing. Interested in joining a reading? Just want to learn more? Email us to get on the list! The Divinity Supply Company |
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