January 7, 2026 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Designed to guide, encourage, support, and advocate for artists of all ages who wish to find their own voice through the creation of original works, the Emerging Artists Festival will showcase five world premiere productions this season.
LOVESICK by Jake Demers
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 7:30pm
A breakup disguised as a love story, alternating between the past and the present. A young woman looks back on a relationship and wonders where it all went wrong.
BEULAH-JOYCE by Scott Carter Cooper
Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:30pm
A lunch lady aspires to a better life, and receives extra motivation from a college student who has her whole life ahead of her.
FLOWERS ON THE MOON by R.L. Bowersox
Friday, January 16, 2026 at 7:30pm
A mysterious young man shows up at the home of an elderly woman, claiming he is her long-dead husband who died many years ago in the war.
SCOUTS by Catherine Epstein
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Three teenagers undertake a misguided tree-planting project in a forest preserve, hoping to be made Eagle Scouts.
THREE SEPTEMBERS by Aaron James Nicolas and Michael Thomas
Friday, January 30, 2026 at 7:30pm
A musical about the impact of loneliness, longing and isolation, it tells the story of three different women in three different decades, who have one thing in common—their voices have echoed within the same walls of the same house.
Each selected piece will be developed over an intensive one-week residency, culminating in a public reading where audience feedback becomes an essential part of the creative process.
About the Festival
The Emerging Artists Festival serves as a launchpad for new voices in theatre and film. Each year, artists from around the country submit original works that have never before been produced or workshopped. Selected pieces are paired with directors, actors, and dramaturgs who collaborate to refine and strengthen the material in preparation for its first public presentation.
Through this festival, the Renaissance Theatre reaffirms its dedication to fostering artistic development and providing space for experimentation, risk-taking, and discovery. For audiences, it’s a front-row seat to the process of creation—an intimate, engaging, and inspiring experience that celebrates the vitality of new work.
Directed by Michael Thomas
Pricing
| General Admission Price: | "Pay What You Want" |