When The Strides Collective was founded in December 2020, our mission was clear - produce and develop work by emerging queer playwrights. Given the ever-evolving landscape of the theatre industry and the world at large, the way in which we have achieved that mission has taken various forms over the last three seasons. From immersive audio plays to intimate two-handers, our programming has adapted with the times while continuing to provide opportunities for our community.

We are thrilled to continue this evolution as we announce our 2024 Season, Multitudes: Variations on Queerness, which includes a brand new play development program and the World Premiere of a daring new play. We believe these programs deepen our commitment to progress and adaptability in presenting new works of live, queer theatre. 

To begin our season, we will be hosting our first annual New Strides: A Pride Month Play Fest. Three local playwrights will be selected and tasked to write original one-act plays with assigned elements. Mentored by the Strides Artistic Team, these playwrights will then be provided with actors and a director to deepen the play’s development. The process will culminate in a staged-reading of each new work on June 10th at The MAAS Building where the community is invited to celebrate local queer theatre during Pride Month!

In October, the World Premiere of Confabulation by Matt Shvyrkov will run at the Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre at the Arden. The play follows a gas station attendant who joins a “past life regression” support group to take control of her life, which is currently haunted by past versions of herself. But as her group-mates transform into the people who've hurt her most, they explore new relationships among themselves and force her to confront her own darkness. Strangers become sisters become lovers become straight men become gay men become straight men again—all under one binding ultimatum: don't break the rules, or you're out of the group.

I invite you to join us for this exciting year of queer theatre, whether it be onstage, backstage, or in the audience. We cannot wait to see you at the theater! 

Jonathan V. Edmondson
Founding Artistic Director
he/him/his

P.S. Did you know The Strides Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit? Make a tax-deductible donation today to support our new season of engaging queer theater. (P.P.S. More details about these programs and additional projects - including our Emerging Playwrights Program! - will be shared in the coming months.)