Upcoming Season
2025 Playwrights Script Reading Series
Introducing Lumos Players 2025 Playwrights Script Reading Series!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 Playwrights Script Reading Series at Lumos Players! After receiving so many incredible submissions, we want to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the talented playwrights who shared their work with us. Your creativity and passion continue to inspire us!
Now, it's time for YOU to get involved! We’re looking for volunteers to join us in reading these exciting new plays. Whether you’re an experienced actor or someone who just loves to read aloud, we’d love for you to help bring these fresh works to life.
How can you participate?
1) Sign up to read one or more plays
2) Support new voices in theater
3) Be part of a dynamic and creative community
This is an amazing opportunity to experience some of the most innovative and thought-provoking work being written today. Together, let’s give these plays the spotlight they deserve!
Sign up now to read (More details about the plays selected): https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C084CADAF22A0FAC70...
We can't wait to see you at the reading sessions and celebrate the future of theater with you!
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10-Minute Plays - February 12, 2025 @ 7:30PM
1)Bob in 4B by Bruce Deveau
Synopsis: Bob in 4B is set in the recreation room of an assisted living center, where two women reflect on a lifetime of love, loss, and friendship. As they reminisce about their shared past, they navigate the complexities of aging, regret, and their enduring bond.
2)But the Greatest of This Is Love by Amanda Schumacher
Synopsis: For 15 years, Sara has been known as "the pastor's wife" at a small, conservative Lutheran church in middle-of-nowhere Iowa. It's a role she's wholeheartedly embraced--until tonight…. Because tonight, her 15-year-old son has just come out to her. Sara now must wrestle with what she's been taught vs. what she actually believes. Angry, anxious, and armed with a bottle of red and a well-loved Bible, Sara speed dials the one person she's been taught to go to in times of trouble: God himself.
3) Heard Mentality by Allison Fradkin
Synopsis:Ada may be hard-of-hearing, but she certainly isn’t hard-of-fearing how her first date will go.Will Ada’s new hearing aids aid and abet her insecurities? Or will they turn hearing impairment on its ear?
4) Scrambled by Brett Hursey
Synopsis: A young husband and wife have a heated argument while making breakfast. The fight starts over the husband's decision to buy tampons for a female coworker, which his wife finds suspicious and intrusive. As tensions rise, the wife’s frustration boils over, and she keeps making his eggs wrong. The morning becomes a battle of miscommunication, jealousy, and misplaced intentions as they try to work through their differences, one scrambled egg at a time.
Full Length Play March 12, 2025 @ 7:30PM
BARKLEE by Tom Cavanaugh
Synopsis: Barklee, is inspired by a real court case in New Jersey, where a high school refused to allow a student to bring his service dog. The story follows a 16-year-old boy with PTSD and his first service dog, Barklee, who is trained to help him navigate daily life and cope with his trauma. As the boy struggles to gain acceptance and support, Barklee becomes his lifeline, offering comfort, protection, and a sense of security. The story explores their journey together, highlighting the challenges of living with PTSD, the bond between human and animal, and the fight for inclusion and understanding in a world that often misunderstands both.
Musical April 9, 2025 @ 7:30PM
High School Antigone by Judy Klass
Synopsis: High school drama teacher Arabella stages a musical, but the new school board shuts it down as offensive mid-rehearsal, upsetting the cast, especially outspoken Elinor. Arabella’s wife, Lillian, suggests adapting Antigone into a musical. Arabella and her songwriting class dive into Greek drama, while Arabella tries to appease the conservative board member, Jack, by emphasizing Antigone as a Western classic. Jack’s son, Corey, is one of the “drama kids,” leading Jack to worry about his son’s sexuality. Meanwhile, Corey has a crush on Elinor, though she’s skeptical. As tensions rise over the censorship, the students take a stand on opening night, refusing to make the cuts the school board demands.
Two One-Act Plays May 14, 2025 @ 7:30PM
1) Richard & Gregory by Michael Messner
Synopsis: Two former partners, separated years ago, reunite when one is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As the sick man tries to rekindle their past relationship, tensions rise due to their differing views on queer identity. Can they reconcile in their final days, or will the past keep them apart? An unexpected act of hate from outsiders threatens to change everything.
2) A Rare Medium by Eva Schegulla
Synopsis: Inspired by a real case, A Rare Medium, set in 1859 Chicago, follows Kate Waren, a sharp, determined female Pinkerton detective, as she and her undercover team work to unravel a dangerous case of poison and deceit in a world filled with secrecy and superstition.
#LumosPlayers #PlaywrightsReadingSeries #NewPlays #TheaterCommunity #Playwrights #Actors #SignUp #SupportTheArts #Lumos2025
Stephen Schwartz's Snapshots
“Is it a book musical? Kind of. Is it a revue? Well, that too. There’s no genre it fits into neatly, so we call it a “musical scrapbook.” All I know is that it has been fun to write and gratifying to experience audiences being charmed, amused, and ultimately moved by a show that seems to speak to them in a personal and unique way.” ~ Stephen Schwartz
Lumos Players is thrilled to announce our upcoming production of "Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook," an original new musical featuring the beloved songs of Academy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell)!
Production Dates: March 21-29, 2025
Location: 8639 Columbia Road Maineville, Ohio 45039
About the Show:
Sue has made the difficult decision to leave her husband, Dan, after decades of marriage. With bags packed and a farewell note in hand, she heads to their attic for one final moment of closure. But when Dan arrives home early, their world is turned upside down. Surrounded by a lifetime of memories and echoes of their younger selves, they embark on a journey through their past, rediscovering the love that once flourished but had faded over time.
"Snapshots" is a heartfelt exploration of love, memory, and the power of rediscovery, woven together with Schwartz’s unforgettable melodies.
Join us for a beautiful, emotional evening filled with timeless music and a powerful story of love's enduring strength.
Audition Info:
Auditions: January 12th, 2025
Sign-ups coming soon! Keep an eye out for details on how to audition and be part of this unforgettable production!
The Revolutionists
"Sometimes a Revolution needs a woman's touch!"
Synopsis: Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen and fan of ribbons Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and theater, feminism and activism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold." - Dramatists Play Services
"Gunderson's script doesn't just skew reality by taking liberties with history, but also by playing with the conventions of storytelling, including several winks to theatre fans. Olympe and all the other characters, and actors, and you, are writing themselves into history through their actions, for good or ill."- River Cities Readers
“…a sassy, hold-on-to-your-seats theatrical adventure…Gunderson, has created a play that is wonderfully wild and raucous…It’s a wild ride, filled with verbal gymnastics that come racing at you so quickly it’s occasionally hard to keep up. Listen closely, though, and hang on tight. If you do, you’ll be treated to an invigorating and enlightening journey.” —Cincinnati Enquirer.
“It’s simply a brilliant script…” —CityBeat Cincinnati.
Lumos Players is excited to announce the cast of THE REVOLUTIONISTS by Lauren Gunderson!
OLYMPE DE GOUGES: Jacqlyn Schott
MARIANNE ANGELLE: Anecia Johnson
CHARLOTTE CORDAY: Christine Gallagher
MARIE ANTOINETTE: Emma McGee
Director - Ashley Herbert
Producer - Corey Nieman
Production Asst. - Amy Haake - Rowland
Stage Manager - Nicole Haake
Asst. Stage Manager - Tina Behringer
Come join the revolution with THE REVOLUTIONISTS on 11/15/24- 11/23/24
at Lakeview UCC, 8639 Columbia Rd. Maineville, OH 45039.
Tickets $10 at the door or online. Tickets will be available online soon!
Playwrights Script Reading Series
CALLING ALL READERS, ACTORS, & THEATER LOVERS
Lumos Players is excited to finally announce our completed Playwrights Script Reading Series (February-July) including 10min Plays, One Act Plays, and Full Plays written by local playwrights and playwrights from all over the USA.
If you are interested in reading for one or all of these plays please email lumosplayers@gmail.com and indicated with month(s) you would like to read for. I you don't want to read but listen to the script reading that is okay too; just let us know!
Script readings will take place the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except for February -2/21/24) at 7:30pm (EST). After each play we will have a short discussion with the playwright about his/her play.
We can't wait for you to read these fantastic plays!
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FEBRUARY - "Even When the Storm Comes" by Ryan Vaughan
2/21/24 @ 7:30pm(EST)
SYNOPSIS
This play looks at how a community deals with love, loss, and everything in between. It becomes evident that sometimes the strongest members in a group are the smallest in size.
Roles avaliable for 12-15 year olds
TRIGGER WARNING: Cancer Diagnosis/Battle and Child Death
MARCH - "Distantly Social" by Paula Gerhardt, Laura Griffin, & Amanda Rempe
3/13/24 @7:30pm(EST)
SYNOPSIS
The show follows families/people through the 2020 quarantine, anchored with Stevie who posts video blogs about their time in lockdown.
The show was written/designed to be done performed with social-distance ... the stage was set with 4 desks (all 6 feet apart) with video screens showing the "zoom" perspective.
CANCELLED/ Will be rescheduled!—APRIL- "Monst3r or (#MeToo, Brute)" by Marshall Logan Gibbs
4/10/24 @7:30pm (EST)
SYNOPSIS
The tale of Julius Caesar has been rocketed into the digital age as the legacy of a popular influencer is called into question when a looming tell all threatens to reveal shocking secrets from his past. Who on his team has backstabbed him? Who has a right to speak up? Who even owns the internet anyway? And why is he so traumatized by Chik-Fil-A?
MAY
5/8/24 @7:30pm(EST)
- "Fetch The Plumber" by Maggie Merritt
SYNOPSIS
A funny conversation between three very different actors during a call back for an unnamed play."
- "The Release of the Shrew" by Janine Sobeck Knighton
SYNOPSIS
Six months after her husband’s death, Kate has one last task to complete to close that chapter of her life forever. However, when her sister Bianca shows up unannounced, her presence threatens to destroy Kate’s plan. Will Bianca discover the truth? Or will Kate figure out how to keep all her secrets behind closed doors?
JUNE
6/12/24 @7:30pm (EST)
-"The Rocking Horse" by James C. Ferguson
SYNOPSIS
Judith wants to give her son a high quality birthday present What could go wrong?
-"Drinks With Your Therapist" by Michael Yarick
SYNOPSIS
Going to therapy is hard work for Allison and making new friends is even harder, but the insecurity she has about her own authenticity? That's easily the most difficult part of her life.
JULY- "How to Fail At A First Date" by David Searston
SYNOPSIS
"How to Fail At A First Date" is a comedic play that unfolds in the setting of a bustling bowling alley. The story revolves around the first date of two individuals, Henry and Grace, who decide to meet at the local bowling alley for what they hope will be a fun and memorable evening. The evening starts promisingly enough, with both Henry and Grace attempting to break the ice with awkward small talk and clumsy attempts at bowling. However, just as Henry begins to contemplate the possibility of a successful date, a mysterious visitor appears to sabotage the date and take something that is rightfully his.
Through a series of comedic misadventures and unexpected revelations, "How To Fail At A First Date" explores themes of compatibility, communication, and the unpredictability of first impressions. How To Fail At A First Date also explores the meaning of existence, can we change our journey? Or is our journey already made up for us when we are born?"
7/10/24 @7:30PM (EST)
Script Reading Series
Lumos Players is so excited to announce our Script Reading Series! This is an opportunity for anyone and everyone to enjoy theater virtually with little commitment. We hope that you join us for one or all three of our script readings during October-December 2023. Please email us at lumosplayers@gmail.com and put in the subject line SCRIPT READING SERIES (Month you are interested in). Below is more information on the plays we will be reading. We will cast plays based on interest for each month.
October (Wednesday 10/18 @7:30pm) - The Alibis by Jonathan Dorf
When eight playwrights are challenged to find the comedy in crime, the result are in this rogue's gallery of ten-minute plays wrapped in a classic whodunnit. When eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington is murdered, a clueless detective finds the suspects are all reluctant to admit their alibis ... because they were all committing other ridiculous crimes at the time. Designed as a flexible build-your-own mystery, you can perform these plays in any combination and thread them together with optional interludes. You never know what's coming next when your suspects include disgruntled chefs, teen detectives, and vengeful divas, but one thing's for certain: Every alibi is absolutely absurd.
November (Wednesday 11/15 @7:30pm) Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
December (Wednesday 12/13 @7:30pm) A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan
Moriarty is dead, to begin with. And Sherlock Holmes is a haunted man. But, when a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his gifts to solve a Dickens of a Christmas mystery! Six actors take on the beloved characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in this heartwarming and highly theatrical holiday treat for all ages!