Axial Theater is a professional ensemble based not-for-profit theater company currently in its 24th season. We are dedicated to supporting the professional development of playwrights and actors through presenting new and classic plays as staged workshops, development readings, and full productions. Our affiliated acting program, HM Acting, offers beginner through master acting classes for youth and adults
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SAFEHOUSE: The Axial Playwright Series
Join us for a full length reading of a new play in development followed by a guided moderation with Axial Associate Artistic Director Nate Flower & Artistic Director Cady McClain
Next up: Youlim Nam's "The Subway Play"
Read by Dan Walworth*, Tom Ryan*, Quinn Warren, Pat McGuinness*, Jessica Bonds, and Sergio Argüelles, Catare. Stage directions read by Lev Harvey
*Axial Ensemble Member
Synopsis: In the heart of Brooklyn, three young New Yorkers, Mini, Fred, and James, find themselves stranded on a subway platform late into the night. Their simple desire for a peaceful journey home turns upside down as a string of surprising events throws them into chaos.
When: May 4th, 4PM - 6PM
Where: St John's Episcopal Church 8 Sunnyside Ave, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Suggested Donation: $20 adults, $10 students (or free!)
LAST ON STAGE
An Axial Staged Workshop: What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck
Join us for a workshopped staged reading of What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck directed by Axial Associate Artistic Director Nate Flower & starring Artistic Director Cady McClain with Axial Ensemble Members Pat McGuinness and Najah Imani Muhammad. Produced by Marisa Lowe (understudy).
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human show, Heidi resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.
When:
Friday, March 22 at 7PM
Saturday, March 23 at 7PM &
Sunday, March 24 at 3PM
Where: Bethany Arts Community 40 Somerstown Rd, Ossining, NY 10562
AUDIENCES LOVED "CONSTITUTION"
MARIA CHUBBS
"I thought it was GREAT!!!! I learned a lot about my Constitution. The actors were terrific also. I'm so glad I came."
EMILJANA ULAJ
"What a powerful & moving production! So grateful for the work of Axial Theatre bringing such impactful shows to our local community. Major kudos to the whole team."
DAVID KREIGER
"This is what theater is all about - local, passionate, accessible!"
HARRIET WEINBAUM
"The show was very well done. The acting was marvelous."
Axial Theatre Presents "Robust Admixture"
a short film based on the work of Westchester Poet Laureate BK Fischer (below). Directed by Cady McClain and featuring the work of the Axial Ensemble
Based on "Ceive" by BOA Editions
"Robust Admixture" is a short film based on the work of Westchester poet laureate BK Fischer and her novella-in-verse "Ceive." It is a profound and remarkable poetic interpretation of Noah's arc that allows us to reflect on the impact of climate change on the individual, the family, and society.
If you are interested in showing this film at your school, library, organization or institution, please contact cadymcclain@axialtheatre.org
Axial Theatre: We Grow Talent!
VISITING ACTORS HAVE INCLUDED: DaJuan Johnson ("Bosch"), Meredith Garretson ("The Offer"), Finnerty Steves ("Orange is the New Black"), Sean Weill ("Boardwalk Empire"), James Patrick Stuart ("The Villains of Valley View"), Tamara Braun ("Days of Our Lives"), Inga Cadranel ("General Hospital") Yoshi Sudarso ("Bullet Train"), Allison Daugherty Smith ("Madame Secretary"), Cliff Carpenter ("Synecdoche, New York"), Brian O'Neill ("Burn After Reading"), MacKenzie Lansing ("Mare of Easttown"), P.J. Sosko ("New Amsterdam")...
VISITING PLAYWRIGHTS INCLUDE: Craig Lucas, Megan Moston-Brown, Carson Grace Becker, Katie Baldwin Eng, Thomas Coash, Scott Seifert, Christopher Goutman, Scott Sickles, Serena Norr, Lori Meyers, John Mabey, Chima Chikazunga, Jacquelyn Reingold, Youlim Nam, Jeff Gould, Val Stulman, Nanya Agrawal, John Patrick Bray, Brian Quirk, and Karin Diann Williams, Adam Rapp, Gina Gionfriddo, Jessica Dickey, Daniel Talbot ...
Axial Theatre and Honor Roll! announce Arts Partnership to further inclusion of women 40+ playwrights.
Read full press release here
In 2022, Axial invited three-time Emmy© winning actor and two-time Emmy© nominated director Cady McClain to helm Axial Theatre as its new Artistic Director. Since January she has brought on four new board members and two new ensemble members, created monthly readings of new short plays with both local and national playwrights, and is helming a new filmed project unlike anything Axial has done before.
"I am proud to continue the historic development of new plays through Axial Theater's playwriting program and expand the theater's professional footprint through thought-provoking productions, readings of new works and artful experiences followed by discussions with notable invited guests. I am ceaselessly impressed with all that Axial has accomplished to date and look forward to working with its talented ensemble as we expand the theater's reach and impact."
- Cady McClain
Photo by Joshua Shelton
McClain and Meyer met in 1992 at Michael Howard Studios in NYC at a directing workshop held by Curt Dempster of Ensemble Studio Theatre while McClain also studied in Michael Howards Tuesday Master Class. They share a commitment to integrity, quality, and caring towards all aspects of the creative process and a vision for theatre that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Photo by Champion Hamilton
Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility
Axial Theater is committed to sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where everyone who walks through our doors feels valued and respected regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, or ability.
We understand that the foundation of a vibrant, thriving arts theater and performance venue is the cross-pollination of creative/diverse programming, inclusive practices and strategies, and a diverse team of employees and volunteers who share in these values.
Axial Theatre recognizes the company's historical positionality as a predominantly white and cisgendered space and is continuing to deepen our understanding of and commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Justice within our administrative staff and institution. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive space for all individuals, including artists, staff, students, educators, audiences, and patrons, as we support artists at every level of their career to take risks and flourish safely in order to create new work.