Schedule of Full Production Runs

Annual Mike Sockol New Works Timing/Process

Each year, the New Works Team reads about 25 plays, ranks them, and then selects the top 3 to have a public staged reading. The winning play is picked from the top 3, for Full Production in January of the following year. Here’s the general process and timing, below:

1. December 1st – Submissions open (as prior winning Full Production is in rehearsals)
2. December 18th – Submissions close (target is ~25 scripts received)
3. End of January = Winning play from the prior season, starts its a Full Production Run
4. Beginning of February – Announce finalists and schedule of 3 Staged Readings
5. March & April – Staged Readings
6. April/May – Full season announcement including the following season’s New Works Full Production

Former Full Production Runs from Competition

1. 2021-2022 Villagers Season = As per Mike Sockol’s wishes, Villagers produced Mike’s “In Danger of Falling In Love“, as a Full Production Run in May 2022.
2. 2022-2023 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the January 2022 Competition Submission period, “Track” by Angel J. Rivas, was produced as a Full Production Run in May 2023.
   • This production was nominated for 1 NJACT Perry Award!
     • Outstanding Production of an Original Play – Angel J. Rivas-Author, Darren Nye-Producer, Dennis Oliveira-Director
3. 2023-2024 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the January 2023 Competition Submission period, “Guard Bitches” by Molly Kate Babos, was produced as a Full Production Run in May 2024.
   • This production was nominated for 5 NJACT Perry Awards!
     • Outstanding Production of an Original Play – Molly Kate Bobos-Author, Darren Nye-Producer, Lauren Fogarty & Darren Nye-Directors
     • 2 Nominations for Outstanding Youth Actress in a Play – Abigail Sebastian & Campbell Smith
     • Outstanding Properties in a Play – Li Silar
     • Outstanding Costume Design of a Play – Victoria Merse
4. 2024-2025 Villagers Season = As per Mike Sockol’s wishes, Villagers produced Mike’s “Pets (and Their Humans)” in May 2025.
5. 2025-2026 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the January 2025 Competition Submission period – “On Time” by Wesley Cappiello, was produced as a Full Production Run in May 2026.
   • This production was nominated for 3 NJACT Perry Awards!
     • Outstanding Production of an Original Play – Wesley Cappiello-Author, Darren Nye-Producer/Director, Kate Murray-Assistant Director
     • Outstanding Direction of a Play – Darren Nye
     • Outstanding Sound Design of a Play – Aster Kieshe
6. 2026-2027 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the January 2026 Competition Submission period – “An Autistic Girl’s Guide to Hope & High School” by Hester Young, directed by Lisa Arnseth, will be produced as a Full Production Run in January 2027.
   • Note: There will be no Competition Submissions or Staged Readings starting this December 2026, due to a Mike Sockol Original Script Production next season!

Upcoming Full Production Run Schedule

1. 2027-2028 Villagers Season = As per Mike Sockol’s wishes, Villagers will produce an Original from Mike in January 2028 – either “In Danger of Falling In Love” or  “Horseshoes”.
   • Competition resumes now in December 2027, for a possible Full Production Run in January 2029
2. 2028-2029 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the December 2027 Competition Submission period – will be produced as a Full Production Run in January 2029.
3. 2029-2030 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the December 2028 Competition Submission period – will be produced as a Full Production Run in January 2030.
4. 2030-2031 Villagers Season = Winning Play from the December 2029 Competition Submission period – will be produced as a Full Production Run in January 2031.

More Information

Team Guidelines: Ranking | Preparing | Presenting
Also See: Disclaimer | Schedule