Players by the Sea’s New Voices program returns to the Jacksonville Beach community theater’s stage May 13-16.
Created in 2016 and inspired by new play development programs across the country, New Voices aims to develop the next wave of American voices in Jacksonville.
In previous years, program organizers selected one or two established or aspiring playwrights to embark on a yearlong developmental journey, pairing them with mentors who help guide the process from conception to final draft. The program culminates in a fully mounted production of their new play.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to take center stage, Players by the Sea reimagined New Voices and pivoted to a virtual process. This year’s theme: Voices Unheard.
Players selected three playwrights through a blind submission process and began a 12-week development and writing journey. Through mentorship, workshopping, and writing sessions, two of the selected playwrights, Chelsea Black and Ken Pedersen, are ready to showcase their 45-minute short plays that uplift and highlight the voices of the unheard. The third play will be released at a future date.
Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 and available online at, www.playersbythesea.org, or call the box office at
904.249.0289.
