In its expanded commitment to the production of diverse and engaging new plays, WSR’s LAB: Theatre Series presents a forum for more boundary-pushing and edgy programming. These staged readings will feature scripts-in-progress by new and emerging playwrights, as well as exciting plays from established contemporary playwrights. Local artists participate in full-length, script-in-hand staged readings, a uniquely intimate and accessible way to experience the thrill of the page-to-stage process.

The relationship between audience and actors, audience and story has never been closer and we hope these readings will give WSR the exposure to potential new collaborators for our main stage programming! A question and answer session with the director and actors follows each performance. Performances are free, but reservations are encouraged.

Check out our LAB season. We kick off with a brand, spankin' new and timely new work by Aurin Squire, titled RUNNING ON FIRE. Then we feature TECHNICOLOR LIFE by Jami Brandli, which will receive its World Premiere this Oct at REP Stages in Baltimore. Save yourself the plane ticket and see it here instead!  Then we feature ANY OTHER NAME by hot new emerging playwright, George Brant, whose play GROUNDED recently played at the Public Theatre in NYC directed by Julie Taymor (The Lion King) and starring, Anne Hathaway.  Finally, we end our LAB season with BECKY SHAW, a romantic-comedy-meets-suspense-thriller by Obie Award winning playwright, Gina Gionfriddo.

Running on Fire by Aurin Squire
July 27, 2015

Technicolor Life by Jami Brandli
October 26, 2015

Any Other Name by George Brant
February 8, 2016

Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo
May 9, 2016

Raue Center for the Arts | Lobby Gallery| 26 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Mondays @ 7pm