Next Reading
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 – PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE STUDIO
ESCAPE FROM AMERICA – by TERENCE JOSEPH QUINN
In a basement apartment in Portland, four gay roommates are running out of time as the country outside turns hostile. To survive long enough to make a break for the Canadian border, they throw themselves into an escalating string of disguises—all while dodging a dim, twitchy federal agent who’s always one step behind. It’s broad, fast, In Living Color-style sketch comedy built on real stakes.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This play contains scenes with gun violence, suicidal ideation, and homophobia.
NOTE: IN-PERSON EVENT. This session is scheduled for 7 pm at Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St. Admission will not occur prior to the reading. Masks are optional. Please see https://portlandplayhouse.org/COVID19 for more information about health and safety at the facility. The reading is free for attendees, but donations to offset our expenses are always appreciated.
Upcoming Events
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 – PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE STUDIO
JAN KEROUAC IS MISSING (OR, THE CLUBHOUSE OF UNFINISHED PROJECTS)
– by KAREN POLINSKY
The first reading of this new play includes spoken word excerpts by Jan Kerouac, the only child of Jack Kerouac. Jan Kerouac, author of the recently re-released Baby Driver, was an accomplished writer of books and poems. The spoken word recreates Jan’s journey from early days in New York City to her culmination as an artist in her own right, from LSD trips at age 13 to peril in the jungles of South America. The drama takes place in her mother Joan Haverty’s house in Kittitas County, Washington, with a garden and no electricity, which Jan describes as “the clubhouse of unfinished projects.” The play explores a realm outside of time where nothing is ever finished, but every moment is precious.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This play contains scenes with explicit drug use.
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Submissions are being reviewed by our team…
We have quite a few scripts under review or in the process of being scheduled or cast for our regular readings. This process takes time. If you have submitted a script, we thank you for your patience. That said, we continue to welcome additional script submissions to consider for our readings. If you are interested in submitting a script for consideration, whether a full-length, a one-act, or a 10-minute play, check out our guidelines: https://www.pdxplaywrights.org/wp/faq-playwrights/ … and then send it (or questions) to submit@pdxplaywrights.org!
More details are on our Events 2026 Page! Kindly scroll down for more information about us.
Best wishes!
PDX Playwrights is a group for playwrights who want to meet, hear their scripts read aloud, and share feedback.
Typically we have about 20 people at each meeting: playwrights, actors, and friends. Plays are read aloud by whomever is at the table that night. We encourage you to attend our sessions even if you aren’t bringing a play. New readers are always welcome!
REGULAR PLAY-READING MEETINGS
Our regular readings occur on the first Tuesdays of each month. (We also have been meeting occasionally on third Tuesdays and also holding fifth Tuesday workshops when applicable, but are not conducting virtual sessions for the time being). In any case, our meetings are open to anyone interested in hearing new work read aloud and learning more about PDX Playwrights.
HOW DO MEETINGS WORK?
Please see our Playwright FAQ page (from the link on the right of this page) for more details. We also have tips on preparing your script for our readings.
FIFTH TUESDAYS
Occasionally, when the month has a fifth week with a Tuesday, you may be in luck. We reserve these dates for possible one-night workshops or presentations about an element of playwriting. Past sessions have explored structure, dialogue, breaking plays in the development process and entering contests. (Occasionally we have used these sessions for organizational planning.) When a fifth Tuesday approaches, check our events page.
TIME AND PLACE
Our sessions typically run 7 to 9 pm; some may be shorter. They are free, but a hat is passed to cover administrative costs (suggested donation $5). We have been meeting virtually for the last three years, but typically we have been meeting in person on the first Tuesday of each month at Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St., since the summer of 2022. Regular table readings of plays are on odd Tuesdays (the first and occasionally third Tuesdays of every month). Please check the Events 2026 Page or your latest PDXP newsletter for details about this and other events.