You may have heard that we unfortunately had to cancel our production that was meant to open next week. Rather than allow this season to be defined by what we lost, we’re choosing to move forward in a way that celebrates our values and supports our community.

We got our creative team together and built The Shortlist—a new festival of workshops and staged readings, showcasing plays we’re considering for our seventh season.

The Shortlist is about more than just testing scripts. It’s a chance to gather with audiences, elevate Chicago talent, and share the stories that are inspiring us right now. These workshops are part of our process of season-building—and by joining us, you’re part of shaping Refracted’s future, too.

All performances are free with a suggested donation of your choosing.

The Shortlist Lineup
📅 September 19–20 – Basically Children by Charlie O’Leary, directed by Patrick Starner
📅 September 26–27 – LUMIN by Emma Gibson, directed by Kenya Ann Hall
📅 October 3–4 – New Oleanna by Zach Barr, directed by Katy Campbell
📅 October 10–11 – Mystery Workshop, directed by Amy Carpenter
📅 October 17–18 – Mystery Workshop, directed by Tova Wolff

We are so excited to for this series and we hope to see you at a few of them!!

Are you a Chicago playwright??? We want to host a reading of your play!

We're a small but mighty, award-winning, non-profit theatre company dedicated to connecting Chicago-based theatre artists and theatre-lovers through our free play reading series, Role Call. We've got 2 readings coming up this year in which we'd love to feature some local playwrights.

If you're interested in being considered, you can submit your play at the link in our bio. We're taking submissions on a rolling basis, so there's no firm deadline but sooner's usually better than later, y'know?

Also! During Roll Call we like to focus discussion around themes and ideas rather than critiques of the play. As part of the submission, you'll be asked to share a "Refracted Question" which is our ~branded~ way of saying that we want to lead a discussion that welcomes nuance and varied, diverse perspectives. More about that in the submission form!

Save this post or share it with a friend! We can't wait to hear from you!!