In the spirit of The Understudy’s commitment to collaboration, community, and discovery, Freshly Brewed is our monthly new play reading series. Featuring the work of emerging Chicago area playwrights and directors. Each artist contributing– playwrights, directors, and actors– receives a stipend for their work.

If you want to participate as an actor, playwright, or director, click the link below to fill out an interest form.

Latest Past Events

WE SENT HER TO THE SEA by Maddie Powell

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago

In eighteenth-century Europe - well, eighteenth-centuryish “Europe” - difficult women are sent to the seaside, where they are kept out of sight and out of mind. Five such women find […]

EVERYTHING, DEVOURED by Katherine Gwynn

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago

Ronald Reagan is a demon. Ronald Reagan is a drag queen. Ronald Reagan is here, queer, and ready to swallow you alive. Or: when 3 Chicago queers, a ghost who […]

Monologue Writing Workshop

The Understudy Coffee and Books 5531 N Clark St, Chicago

Come with a pen and be ready to create! This month for Freshly Brewed we are hosting a Monologue Workshop, Open to all — Playwrights, actors, and multidisciplinary artists. Join […]