After DPI produced the original play “Saying Goodbye” that went on to Humana Fest John Riley conceived the idea of an annual festival of new plays. In 1990 he developed the framework; and in 1991, with the help and dedication of Dodie Lockwood, Jim Payne, Nancy Campbell, and countless volunteers, the dream became a reality. It was at the first committee meeting that Dodie came up with the name – FutureFest was born.
Each year from August to April, the original playreading committee narrows the submissions down to twelve semifinalists. Each play receives at least 3 reads, with semifinalists being read by the full committee. A second committee selects the six finalists. The FutureFest winner is decided by five adjudicators made up of New York and regional theatre professionals. There is also an additional category for audience favorite.
During FutureFest weekend, playwrights are brought to Dayton as our special guests. Their plays are presented as either fully staged or staged readings, and are judged both as raw scripts, and how the scripts translate to the stage. Playwrights benefit from professional adjudications, networking opportunities, and speaking with our very knowledgeable and supportive FutureFest audiences.
Mark your calendars for 2025’s FutureFest: July 18, 19, & 20 and buy tickets here.
FutureFest 2025
angel’s share, by Dominic Finocchiaro
mom and dad's son has died. his name was steve. stephen is not mom and dad's son. however, with a tiny implant, the boundary between steve and stephen could begin to dissolve. but what's lost along the way? is a person more than just their memories? a speculative fiction exploration of grief, love, and family.
The Art of Arson, by Hutchins Foster
Zelda Fanning has summoned her family to her house on what would have been her deceased husband’s seventieth birthday. Four generations of secrets come to light, dysfunctions are dealt with, and fantastic Halloween costumes are worn. All the while an arson-induced wildfire encroaches closer to the one-of-a-kind house Zelda built.
The Locke Inn, by Brent Alles
MATT LOCKE lives a great life. He has a funny, beautiful wife - ABBY - and two smart, rambunctious kids - JIMMY and SAMANTHA. He's trying to run his own bed and breakfast, a lifelong dream of his. He even puts up with the well meaning but annoying next door neighbor TOBY whenever he barges in. However, all is not as it seems, as we learn the secret behind MATT LOCKE's life and what might bring the Locke Inn crashing down around him.
Prayer Circle, by Erik Gernand
A prayer group at a small country church discovers that their invocations to God have far greater consequences than any of them ever imagined.
Jamie McQuinn – Ken Kincaid
Ghiovanna Dennis – Didi Kincaid
Derek Dunn-Melvin – Tyler Kincaid and others
Daniel Cox – Zack Welch and others
The Good Name, by Sopan Deb
Vikas Choudhury is a thoughtful but aimless young man living with his aunt and uncle in the New Jersey suburbs as he grieves the death of his parents. A mysterious bag appears at the door, sparking revelations that help them face a quietly buried past. As each family member wraps their hopes and fears up in the bag’s contents, they find themselves unraveling their relationships to each other. "The Good Name" is an examination of duty and cultural expectations, grief and forgiveness, and family.
Dayton Playhouse, Inc.
Building Community Through Theatre1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414
937-424-8477 | box.office.dayton.playhouse@gmail.com
PO Box 3017 Dayton, OH 45401-3017