Rep Reads is our fan-favorite play reading and discussion group! Celebrate the written word of theatre and share perspectives with members of the Rep community.
Over the last four years, Rep Reads has become a fan-favorite artistic engagement program. We are happy to continue offering this beloved play reading club. Each month, we independently read a script and come together to discuss its themes, characters, and impact. Rep Readers gain a deeper appreciation of dramatic literature while building community connections with fellow theatre lovers at The Rep.
SUMMER 2025: MAINSTAGE PREVIEW
Following the huge popularity of last summer's Mainstage Preview, we will once again be reading three plays from The Rep's upcoming 2025-2026 season. Join us as we discuss selections from the season of daring imagination. Experience them on the page before they hit the mainstage!
The Cottage by Sandy Rustin
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 2:00 pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 2:00 pm (In-person)
From the playwright that took Clue from screen to stage, The Cottage is an outrageously roaring 20s romp that will have you laughing from start to finish. Set in 1923 in an English country cottage, a woman decides to expose her latest affair to both her husband—and her lover's wife. As secrets unravel and passions collide, the meaning of love, identity, and marriage are all thrown into question, and served in a way only the British can serve it: with tea. With shocking plot twists, scandalous reveals, and razor-sharp humor, The Cottage is a deliciously funny hit comedy where no one’s secrets are safe.
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 2:00 pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 2:00 pm (In-person)
A story that refuses to stay buried. Arthur Kipps has carried a dreadful secret for years—determined to confront his darkest memories, he hires a young actor to help bring his nightmare to life and finally put it to rest. But as the rehearsals unfold, something sinister stirs in the shadows. In this haunting stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story, The Woman in Black pulls audiences into the mystery of Eel Marsh House, where shadows stretch long, voices whisper in the wind, and an inescapable terror lurks just out of sight. Join us if you dare—because once you see her, there’s no turning back.
Primary Trust by Eboni Booth
Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 2:00 pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 2:00 pm (In-person)
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Eboni Booth’s hilarious and heartwarming play offers up a modern, tiki-lit homage to slices of Americana such as Our Town, Harvey, and It's a Wonderful Life. Kenneth’s predictable life—Mai Tais at his favorite bar and a steady job at a local bookstore—begins to unravel, forcing him to confront a childhood loss and the uncertainties of adulthood. With guidance from an imaginary friend, a kind waitress, and a splash of liquid courage, he discovers that trust, love, and friendship—much like the perfect Mai Tai—are best mixed in unexpected ways.
Where to Purchase Plays
The Cottage:
Purchase a paperback or ereader copy from Dramatists Play Service here.
The Woman in Black:
Purchase from The Novel Neighbor here.
Primary Trust:
Purchase from The Novel Neighbor here.
*To borrow a paper or digital copy of any of these plays from The Rep, reach out to Rob at rkapeller@repstl.org