California's La Jolla Playhouse has announced the lineup for its 2024 DNA New Work Series, which will run in the company's Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center December 5-15. The program offers playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space, and additional resources, culminating in public readings.

This year’s readings will include: A Black-billed Cuckoo by Mat Smart (Kill Local), directed by Shelley Butler; Matilde: A Fable by Kirsten Greenidge (Milk Like Sugar), directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (Derecho, The Garden); Marble Rooftop, Emma Has Church by Eliana Theologides Rodriguez (Indian Princesses), directed by Playhouse Director of Arts Engagement and Local Casting Director Jacole Kitchen (Pick Me Last, Light Years Away); and Invisibles, a La Jolla Playhouse commission by Cheryl L. West (Hoopla!), directed by Timothy Douglas. For the second year, the DNA Series will also feature a work-in-process, which will be Robert Farid Karimi's American Dream Casino. 

“The DNA New Work Series has become an incredibly vital pipeline for new plays and musicals at the Playhouse," La Jolla's Rich Family Artistic Director Christopher Ashley said in a statement. "Since the launch of the program in 2013, more than a dozen DNA works have gone on to have full productions in our subscription season. DNA has become one of our most popular programs. Patrons relish the opportunity to take part in the birth of a new play, while giving playwrights invaluable feedback in the earliest stages of the development of their work.”

All DNA New Work Series projects take place with no scenic, costume or staging elements, and actors have scripts in hand. Tickets are free, with reservations required. 

Visit LaJollaPlayhouse.org for more information.