Wallowing in post holiday blues? Celebrate the new year by celebrating new work!
Introducing the writers of the first Cold Lemonade volume of 2025!
We reconvene on January 11th. The reads start at 8.
We will be showcasing the work of five writers – All brand new to our program! – Giving them the chance to hear their work live, with actors, in front of an audience – for the very first time. All roles will be cast on the night of.
Writers! Want to join in on the fun for a future volume? Email your 10-15 minute piece/excerpt to Morgana at lemonade@shermanplayers.org.
Actors! Want to read? Come to the Playhouse at 7 and find Morgana to let her know you’re interested. She’ll be rocking the heels and holding the scripts.
The event is free and open to the public.
So without further ado, let’s meet our writers!
GENE SWANSON is a writer, artist, and a senior in high school in Bedford, New York. Their work invites people to laugh, reflect, and engage with the deeper experience of what it means to be human.
ALLEN JEFFRIES is a veteran actor/director/designer. He now lives a quiet life in the country with his wife and three cats. GONE ARE THE FLOWERS is Allen’s first full length original drama.
JARED REYNOLDS is a writer, director, and actor living in Bristol. You’ve probably seen him on stage at the Brookfield Theater, where he does most of his performing. As always, he’d like to thank his guinea pigs for their background noise while he tries to write.
CHERYL HUGHES is an actor/writer who resides in Northern Westchester, NY. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in journalism. While living in New York City, she studied acting at HB Studio. She took sketch writing at the Groundlings and has studied at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Theater Barn, One-on-One Acting Studio, and Blind Tiger Improv. She wrote a comedy short play, The Couch, which is going on stage this January in NYC.
TED SCHWARTZ Ted is a local performer who has been in numerous productions in theaters around the greater Danbury area, including Musicals at Richter, the Brewster Theater Company and the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. Play writing is a relatively new hobby for him. He is a retired forensic scientist and currently is a full-time professor at the University of New Haven, teaching classes in Forensic Science.
And your host –
MORGANA KATE WATSON is the Original Works Program Director for the Sherman Players. A professional writer and performer, she has performed all over New England and in New York. Her writing has been shown in New York, Westchester, Connecticut, and Australia. She is repped by Alexander Management. www.morganakatewatson.com
Actors! Want to perform in one of the pieces listed above? Arrive at the Playhouse at 7, let Morgana know you’re there, and she will cast you if she has a role (or two!) for you to play.
The readings will commence at 8. It’s free to attend, but donations are appreciated to help offset costs, and concessions will be on sale.
See you at the Playhouse!
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Writers! Want to workshop your piece in a future volume in 2025? Email your 10 minute segment or short piece to Morgana at lemonade@shermanplayers.org
Fun Fact: At least seven of the plays we’ve featured in previous Cold Lemonade sessions have gone on to have staged readings or fully produced performances! So, come along and see the best in local playwriting at the Sherman Playhouse and who knows, you could be the first to experience the next Tony award winning play!
