Playwrights Festival
Festival
The NEOMFA Playwrights Festival presents professional productions of MFA thesis plays and other new pieces. Degree candidates in playwriting collaborate with paid directors, actors, and designers on works that are presented in partnership with a local theater company.
Produced annually in February, the Festival provides invaluable experience for playwrights in the NEOMFA program.
Partner
Since 2012, the NEOMFA Playwrights Festival has been presented with convergence-continuum theater company at The Liminis, 2438 Scranton Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
For more information on the company, visit www.convergence-continuum.org.
2026
NEOMFA Play Readings
Table and staged readings of
New works in development
February 13 - 14​
Friday, February 13 at 7:30 pm
The Royal Puppet by W. Reid Kennedy
That’s Not How I Say It by Jennifer Foxhoven
Abshers by Ari Croft
Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 pm
Chapter and Verse by Eric Mansfield
Photos by Eric Mansfield
2025
Executing Eve
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Carolyn Demanelis
February 13 - 22​
It’s 2034, and Governor Kaiser has returned Ohio to the days of town square hangings. A midnight execution is just hours away for Eve, who languishes through her final hours in jail. Eve was found guilty of poisoning a judge she believes was responsible for her sister’s death--a judge who rejected Eve's pleas for intervention during a high-risk pregnancy. With crowds gathering outside, and with little hope of an 11th hour reprieve, Eve plays the one card she has up her sleeve. She may save her life, while also confronting the circumstances that have made her the face of futuristic American justice.
Cast
Chelsea Anderson……….Agatha
Nicole Coury………Kaya
Chrissy Margevicius………Marty
Jillian Mesaros……….Eve
Tom Wenz………Fucker
Kim Woodworth………Grace
Production Staff
Libby Gabor………Stage Manager
Maria Maggard………Assistant Director
Robert Wachala………Lighting Designer
Cory Molner………Scenic, Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski………Costume Designer
EXECUTING EVE
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Carolyn Demanelis
February 13 - 22​
It’s 2034, and Governor Kaiser has returned Ohio to the days of town square hangings. A midnight execution is just hours away for Eve, who languishes through her final hours in jail. Eve was found guilty of poisoning a judge she believes was responsible for her sister’s death--a judge who rejected Eve's pleas for intervention during a high-risk pregnancy. With crowds gathering outside, and with little hope of an 11th hour reprieve, Eve plays the one card she has up her sleeve. She may save her life, while also confronting the circumstances that have made her the face of futuristic American justice.
Cast
Chelsea Anderson……….Agatha
Nicole Coury………Kaya
Chrissy Margevicius………Marty
Jillian Mesaros……….Eve
Tom Wenz………Fucker
Kim Woodworth………Grace
Production Staff
Libby Gabor………Stage Manager
Maria Maggard………Assistant Director
Robert Wachala………Lighting Designer
Cory Molner………Scenic, Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski………Costume Designer
EXECUTING EVE
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Carolyn Demanelis
February 13 - 22​
It’s 2034, and Governor Kaiser has returned Ohio to the days of town square hangings. A midnight execution is just hours away for Eve, who languishes through her final hours in jail. Eve was found guilty of poisoning a judge she believes was responsible for her sister’s death--a judge who rejected Eve's pleas for intervention during a high-risk pregnancy. With crowds gathering outside, and with little hope of an 11th hour reprieve, Eve plays the one card she has up her sleeve. She may save her life, while also confronting the circumstances that have made her the face of futuristic American justice.
Cast
Chelsea Anderson……….Agatha
Nicole Coury………Kaya
Chrissy Margevicius………Marty
Jillian Mesaros……….Eve
Tom Wenz………Fucker
Kim Woodworth………Grace
Production Staff
Libby Gabor………Stage Manager
Maria Maggard………Assistant Director
Robert Wachala………Lighting Designer
Cory Molner………Scenic, Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski………Costume Designer
EXECUTING EVE
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Carolyn Demanelis
February 13 - 22​
It’s 2034, and Governor Kaiser has returned Ohio to the days of town square hangings. A midnight execution is just hours away for Eve, who languishes through her final hours in jail. Eve was found guilty of poisoning a judge she believes was responsible for her sister’s death--a judge who rejected Eve's pleas for intervention during a high-risk pregnancy. With crowds gathering outside, and with little hope of an 11th hour reprieve, Eve plays the one card she has up her sleeve. She may save her life, while also confronting the circumstances that have made her the face of futuristic American justice.
Cast
Chelsea Anderson……….Agatha
Nicole Coury………Kaya
Chrissy Margevicius………Marty
Jillian Mesaros……….Eve
Tom Wenz………Fucker
Kim Woodworth………Grace
Production Staff
Libby Gabor………Stage Manager
Maria Maggard………Assistant Director
Robert Wachala………Lighting Designer
Cory Molner………Scenic, Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski………Costume Designer
EXECUTING EVE
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Carolyn Demanelis
February 13 - 22​
It’s 2034, and Governor Kaiser has returned Ohio to the days of town square hangings. A midnight execution is just hours away for Eve, who languishes through her final hours in jail. Eve was found guilty of poisoning a judge she believes was responsible for her sister’s death--a judge who rejected Eve's pleas for intervention during a high-risk pregnancy. With crowds gathering outside, and with little hope of an 11th hour reprieve, Eve plays the one card she has up her sleeve. She may save her life, while also confronting the circumstances that have made her the face of futuristic American justice.
Cast
Chelsea Anderson……….Agatha
Nicole Coury………Kaya
Chrissy Margevicius………Marty
Jillian Mesaros……….Eve
Tom Wenz………Fucker
Kim Woodworth………Grace
Production Staff
Libby Gabor………Stage Manager
Maria Maggard………Assistant Director
Robert Wachala………Lighting Designer
Cory Molner………Scenic, Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski………Costume Designer
Executing Eve by Eric Mansfield
Photos by Grace K McConnell
2024
Week 1: February 15 - 17
(WO)MANSVILLE
Written by Laura Barbieri
Directed by Eva Nel Brettrager
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Robert Parker, Reporter 3, Zombie
Abbey Marshall……….Ethel Parker, Madge
Alejandro Martinez……….Stevie Lewis, Thomas, Pvt. Smith, Reporter 2, National Guardsmen 2, Zombie
Anna Popa……….Dottie Lewis, Sally
DaHae Wenz……….Robbie Parker, Zombie
Tom Wenz……….Eli Wells, General Murphy, Reporter 1, National Guardsman 2, Zombie
Kim Woodworth……….Rose Wells
Production Staff
Michael Strama……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 1: February 15 - 17
(WO)MANSVILLE
Written by Laura Barbieri
Directed by Eva Nel Brettrager
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Robert Parker, Reporter 3, Zombie
Abbey Marshall……….Ethel Parker, Madge
Alejandro Martinez……….Stevie Lewis, Thomas, Pvt. Smith, Reporter 2, National Guardsmen 2, Zombie
Anna Popa……….Dottie Lewis, Sally
DaHae Wenz……….Robbie Parker, Zombie
Tom Wenz……….Eli Wells, General Murphy, Reporter 1, National Guardsman 2, Zombie
Kim Woodworth……….Rose Wells
Production Staff
Michael Strama……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 1: February 15 - 17
(WO)MANSVILLE
Written by Laura Barbieri
Directed by Eva Nel Brettrager
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Robert Parker, Reporter 3, Zombie
Abbey Marshall……….Ethel Parker, Madge
Alejandro Martinez……….Stevie Lewis, Thomas, Pvt. Smith, Reporter 2, National Guardsmen 2, Zombie
Anna Popa……….Dottie Lewis, Sally
DaHae Wenz……….Robbie Parker, Zombie
Tom Wenz……….Eli Wells, General Murphy, Reporter 1, National Guardsman 2, Zombie
Kim Woodworth……….Rose Wells
Production Staff
Michael Strama……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 1: February 15 - 17
(WO)MANSVILLE
Written by Laura Barbieri
Directed by Eva Nel Brettrager
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Robert Parker, Reporter 3, Zombie
Abbey Marshall……….Ethel Parker, Madge
Alejandro Martinez……….Stevie Lewis, Thomas, Pvt. Smith, Reporter 2, National Guardsmen 2, Zombie
Anna Popa……….Dottie Lewis, Sally
DaHae Wenz……….Robbie Parker, Zombie
Tom Wenz……….Eli Wells, General Murphy, Reporter 1, National Guardsman 2, Zombie
Kim Woodworth……….Rose Wells
Production Staff
Michael Strama……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 1: February 15 - 17
(WO)MANSVILLE
Written by Laura Barbieri
Directed by Eva Nel Brettrager
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Robert Parker, Reporter 3, Zombie
Abbey Marshall……….Ethel Parker, Madge
Alejandro Martinez……….Stevie Lewis, Thomas, Pvt. Smith, Reporter 2, National Guardsmen 2, Zombie
Anna Popa……….Dottie Lewis, Sally
DaHae Wenz……….Robbie Parker, Zombie
Tom Wenz……….Eli Wells, General Murphy, Reporter 1, National Guardsman 2, Zombie
Kim Woodworth……….Rose Wells
Production Staff
Michael Strama……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 2: February 22 -24
DISTANT STARS
Written by Heather R Sutherin
Directed by Katelyn Cornelius
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Lucifer
Kim Woodworth……….Michael
Keith Kornajcik……….Al
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
CEMETERY CALLING
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Léo Fez
Cast
Amanda Nyx……….Faith
Connor Krohn……….Lucas
Keith Kornajcik……….Walter, Paul
Clare Scott……….Grace
Patrick D. Warner……….Niles
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 2: February 22 -24
DISTANT STARS
Written by Heather R Sutherin
Directed by Katelyn Cornelius
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Lucifer
Kim Woodworth……….Michael
Keith Kornajcik……….Al
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
CEMETERY CALLING
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Léo Fez
Cast
Amanda Nyx……….Faith
Connor Krohn……….Lucas
Keith Kornajcik……….Walter, Paul
Clare Scott……….Grace
Patrick D. Warner……….Niles
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 2: February 22 -24
DISTANT STARS
Written by Heather R Sutherin
Directed by Katelyn Cornelius
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Lucifer
Kim Woodworth……….Michael
Keith Kornajcik……….Al
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
CEMETERY CALLING
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Léo Fez
Cast
Amanda Nyx……….Faith
Connor Krohn……….Lucas
Keith Kornajcik……….Walter, Paul
Clare Scott……….Grace
Patrick D. Warner……….Niles
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 2: February 22 -24
DISTANT STARS
Written by Heather R Sutherin
Directed by Katelyn Cornelius
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Lucifer
Kim Woodworth……….Michael
Keith Kornajcik……….Al
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
CEMETERY CALLING
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Léo Fez
Cast
Amanda Nyx……….Faith
Connor Krohn……….Lucas
Keith Kornajcik……….Walter, Paul
Clare Scott……….Grace
Patrick D. Warner……….Niles
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
Week 2: February 22 -24
DISTANT STARS
Written by Heather R Sutherin
Directed by Katelyn Cornelius
Cast
Nicholas Chokan……….Lucifer
Kim Woodworth……….Michael
Keith Kornajcik……….Al
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
CEMETERY CALLING
Written by Eric Mansfield
Directed by Léo Fez
Cast
Amanda Nyx……….Faith
Connor Krohn……….Lucas
Keith Kornajcik……….Walter, Paul
Clare Scott……….Grace
Patrick D. Warner……….Niles
Production Staff
Andy Zicari……….Stage Manager
Robert Wachala……….Lighting Designer
Cory Molner……….Sound/Projection Designer
Scott Zolkowski……….Scenic Designer
(Wo)Mansville by Laura Barbieri
Distant Stars by Heather R Sutherin
Cemetery Calling by Eric Mansfield
Photos by Grace K McConnell
Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts
Department of English
Cleveland State University
Music & Communications Building 234
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 687-3957
info@neomfa.org
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