Garden State New Play Festival 2026 Staged Readings of Three New Short Plays by Community Writers Written by Alia Berry, Aaron Morrill, and Tracie E. Morrison Dramaturgy by Cheryl Katz Directed by Jessica Brater Sunday, May 17th @ 3:00 PM White Eagle Hall Please join us for a discussion and reception following the readings! Unseen in Plain Sight by Alia Berry "Unseen in Plain Sight," centers on two boys from the same neighborhood whose lives take very different paths, shaped by their choices, environment, and support systems. Alongside them are their mothers, each navigating love, fear, and survival in their own way. When a murder shakes the neighborhood, tensions rise and the community becomes filled with judgment, blame, and misunderstanding. People talk around each other rather than to each other, revealing deep disconnection. As the story unfolds, moments of honesty and vulnerability begin to break through, allowing characters to confront their assumptions and truly see one another. Ultimately, the play explores how empathy, accountability, and shared humanity can transform division into connection, highlighting the intentional work required to build real social cohesion in a community. The Press Conference by Aaron Morrill The Press Conference imagines a Jersey City mayor struggling to choose between building a French art museum and a youth recreation center. Sound familiar? Storm Cloud Rising by Tracie E. Morrison Come eavesdrop on the challenges black women educators encounter in the school setting. The storm cloud is rising. How will you respond? If you require ADA accommodations, please email info@jctcenter.org