SPECIAL EVENTS
Special Events at Primary Stages are exactly that...special. From more intimate events like our Primary Partner Appreciation Nights to our star-studded annual Gala...we definitely like to party. And we know you do, too. Join us and you’ll meet others who share the same love for theater as you while helping us advance our mission to share the art of playwriting. It’s a win-win!
GALA
The Primary Stages Fall Gala will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at Sony Hall (235 W 46th Street, New York, NY), including cocktails, dinner, and live performances. We are proud to honor Broadway actor Ann Harada (Schmigadoon!, Avenue Q) with the Einhorn Mentorship Award, Cathy Bendall (Partner Emeritus at Withum) with the inaugural Theater Service Award, and Cherry Lane Alternative (Creative Development & Producing Nonprofit) with the Andrew Leynse Commitment to New Plays Award. Performers to be announced!
PRIMARY STAGES VARIETY SHOW
The Primary Stages Variety Show is our Spring cabaret-style evening of songs and scenes that celebrates Primary Stages’ rich creative history and the immensely talented artists who have helped to shape it. Our 2026 Variety Show was held on Wednesday, April 19 at Chelsea Table & Stage and featured performances from Ari Afsar, Jeffrey Bean, Alex Finke, Gizel Jiménez, Pablo Laucerica, Dorcas Leung, Zachary Noah Piser, and Jonathan Raviv.
FRESH INK READING SERIES
This annual reading series is the first opportunity to hear brand new plays from the playwrights in the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group. Readings for the 2025/26 cohort were held from April 6-11, 2026 at 59E59 Theaters. All readings are free and open to the public. Check back in the Spring for our 2026/27 cohort readings!
OTHER EVENTS
Do you love learning about what happens behind-the-scenes? Or perhaps you’re interested in how a production goes from page to stage. Our Primary Partners have access to private play readings, workshops, rehearsals, and other intimate events with our artists. Want to attend our invite-only Opening Nights? Join us at the Centerstage level or higher and you’ll mix and mingle with the cast, creatives, and theater industry leaders at our opening night parties.
Looking for more info about our special events? Reach out to Rowan McStay, Development Manager, at rmcstay@primarystages.org.