WELCOME INDUSTRY FRIENDS!
We have curated a spectacular lineup of performances and fresh, vibrant new content, just for our professional theatre industry guests. We are thrilled to welcome you August 8-10th to the 2025 South Carolina New Play Festival,
A BEACON FOR THEATRICAL CREATIVITY
INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET PRICE
Please note that hotel and travel are not included. Coming from out of town? We’ve compiled a list of walkable hotel accommodations to make your festival weekend convenient and relaxing. And as an attendee of SCNPF, you’ll get a special discount.
INDUSTRY SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
7:00 PM at Gunter Theatre
MERLIN RETURNS STARRING PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
A new magic-musical with book by John van der Put and West Hyler, and music and lyrics by Matt Schatz.
The Vegas Headliner and “Magician of the Year” Piff the Magic Dragon is cast as Merlin in a revival of the 1983 Broadway flop starring Doug Henning in "Merlin Returns". The laugh-out-loud parody focuses on the backstage drama as Piff and his Vegas sidekicks come into increasing conflict with the musical theater actors playing the roles of The Queen, The Prince, and young Merlin (roles which were originally performed on Broadway by Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, and Christian Slater). Expect jaw-dropping tricks, over-the-top characters, and an outrageous story full of the best magic tricks ever put onstage.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
10:00 AM at the Hyatt Regency
COFFEE AND DONUTS
Kick off your morning with other industry professionals at this special networking event.
2:00 PM at Centre Stage
MARIAH, OR THE PASSAGEWAY
A new play by Rachel Bonds
Mariah, or The Passageway centers on a family who gathers for Sadie’s 70th birthday party. Her son Alex and his girlfriend arrive to surprise his mother, only to find the house is already full with Sadie’s much younger boyfriend, Ben, Alex’s struggling older brother, Nick, and a new tenant, Mariah, with whom Alex had a confusing and intimate relationship with years ago. This new play explores how our bodies struggle to carry psychic wounds, and the danger of leaving those wounds unattended.
5:00 PM, location TBD
HAPPY HOUR
Enjoy a special happy hour event with your friends, new and old.
8:00 PM at The Warehouse Theatre
THE BREAK
A new musical with music by Michael Kooman and book & lyrics by Christopher Dimond
Mariah, or The Passageway centers on a family who gathers for Sadie’s 70th birthday party. Her son Alex and his girlfriend arrive to surprise his mother, only to find the house is already full with Sadie’s much younger boyfriend, Ben, Alex’s struggling older brother, Nick, and a new tenant, Mariah, with whom Alex had a confusing and intimate relationship with years ago. This new play explores how our bodies struggle to carry psychic wounds, and the danger of leaving those wounds unattended.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
12:00 PM at The Warehouse Theatre
MY FAVORITE SOCIOPATH
A new play by Aurin Squire
“My Favorite Sociopath” centers on three journalism students who are willing to stretch the truth to get the best story. It is a show that explores the way media seeks to divide and enrage audiences in order to get the most eyes on a story and profoundly relevant now in the social media age. "Sociopath" was commissioned by Audible Theatre.
3:00 PM at South Carolina Children’s Theatre
THE DROUGHT GIRL
A new play for families by Lyra Nalan
The Drought Girl follows Nemo, a fourth-grade girl who prefers to play by herself but is constantly teased by her obnoxious table-mate, Stone. Their dynamic changes with the arrival of a strange mythical girl wh possesses supernatural gifts and curses. The Drought Girl is one tale about two unlikely friendships, told from three perspectives.