Every month, Kansas City Public Theatre presents new and experimental work in development by area artists as well as work which reflects the unique history and culture of Kansas City, MO. Experience the creation of new work and support area artists as they put new ideas to the stage!
All events are FREE and open to the public.
TO SUBMIT: Send your project idea/play and headshot to kcpublictheatre@gmail.com with the subject “Theatre Lab.” All performances should be 60-90min in length.
ALL performances through December 2020 will be presented in digital format.
2020-21 Theatre Lab Season:
Role Play
by Emma Carter
Sept. 14, 2020
Taylor is the social pariah of her freshman class. Mycah is the new girl. Both seek refuge from the tortures of real life by escaping into books, and when Mycah invites Taylor to join her in an online RPG–Role Play Game–Taylor finds a haven for outcasts like herself who obsess over anime, video games, and fanfiction. But when the politics of high school social dynamics put pressure on Mycah and Taylor’ RL friendship, both stand to lose everything they’ve created and more.
The Avocado Tree
by Sofiana Olivera Abalan
Oct. 5, 2020
Lucia Medina, a brilliant young architect, lives in a Latin American country in social and political upheaval with her father, Professor Don Francisco and her young daughter Katia. She yearns for a better life. When the violence in her country escalates, Lucia makes the difficult decision to emigrate to the United States. As the years go by, Ruben and Lucia have to face the unforeseeable consequences their choices forced on themselves and their families.
The Holy Trinity (Workshop 1) 
by Prisca Jebet Kendagor
KCPublic Resident Playwright
Nov. 2, 2020
Three old church camp friends who once shared a common bond in the faith, now share a common bond in their love for each other. Having explored the sexual tension these three have shared over the years, reality must be faced for some, and dealt with for others.
Sliding into Home 
by Aaron Scully
Dec. 7, 2020
Cobb returns home from a four year stint in prison. His early release surprises his family. As the day unfolds we discover the events that led to Cobb’s prison sentence as he tries to reconnect with his family.
Cam Girl 
by Em Swenson
Feb. 1, 2021
From her central Florida bedroom, Kelsey sheds her clothes and fulfills fantasies for men around the world. On camera she has no boundaries, but in reality she is incapable of leaving her apartment. Cam Girl boldly exposes the lives of three women working in the sex industry and the bond they share.
The Holy Trinity (Workshop 2)
by Prisca Jebet Kendagor
KCPublic Resident Playwright
Nov. 2, 2020
Three old church camp friends who once shared a common bond in the faith, now share a common bond in their love for each other. Having explored the sexual tension these three have shared over the years, reality must be faced for some, and dealt with for others.
Memories of the Game 
by Kristy Thomas
April 5, 2021
Kenneth, the head of the household is retired and suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Kenneth’s love for football has always been his hold on reality, but soon even the love of the game is fighting against him. As Kenneth forgets, his son Michael tries to balance on the edge of crack addiction, and his wife Karen tries to hold her family together as life still continues to happen. Sometimes it is what we are willing to live without that makes the next breath possible.
