THE JULIE LUTZ NEW PLAY FESTIVAL

FEATURING FESTIVAL PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE ESPERANZA ROSALES BALCÁRCEL and “WRITE HERE” PLAYWRIGHT ZIZI MAJID | CONCURRENT WITH THE NATIONAL PASTIME by ROGELIO MARTINEZ

JUNE 11- 29, 2025

Syracuse Stage is thrilled to present the inaugural Julie Lutz New Play Festival (formerly the Cold Read Festival) by hosting talented writers and professional actors for events that center the playwriting process, allowing audiences to peek behind the curtain and witness artists at work. The Julie Lutz New Play Festival surrounds the world premiere production of Rogelio Martinez’s The National Pastime, which was commissioned and incubated as part of Cold Read 2022.

Curated by Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo, the Julie Lutz New Play Festival features Festival Playwright-in-Residence Esperanza Rosales Balcárcel and Central New York's own Zizi Majid.

“Every play was once a new play. This festival is all about giving our audiences a fun and engaging up-close view to exciting new works for the stage, access to the writers who dare to create it, and a better understanding of the creative process.“

-Kyle Bass 
Syracuse Stage Resident Playwright

WHAT IS THE JULIE LUTZ NEW PLAY FESTIVAL?

Previously known as the Cold Read Festival, it was created to celebrate works in progress by providing a dedicated space for audiences and artists alike to experience brand-new plays in the making. 

The first Cold Read Festival was produced in the 2016/2017 season as the brainchild of then Associate Artistic Director Kyle Bass, who aimed to "demystify the playmaking process and the idea of new plays so that audiences leave with a hunger and a thirst about new work.” When Kyle transitioned to become Syracuse Stage’s first ever Resident Playwright, curation of the Festival was passed on to Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo, who has proudly championed new work throughout her career.

Writers are selected to participate based on their body of work. A playwright is invited to the Festival not on the merit of a single piece, but rather with the recognition of them as artists with distinct and exciting theatrical voices. 

This project is made possible with funds from the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts.