Axial Theatre is a Grant Award Winner! Thank you ArtsWestchester for selecting us for the Matching Grant and two program grants!
Axial Theater is an 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 staged workshops, development readings, and full productions.
JAN 2026:
"Raising the Ground, Lowering the Sky"
a new play by Howard Meyer
Join us for a special reading of Axial Theatre founder Howard Meyer's play "Raising the Ground, Lowering the Sky" followed by a special talkback with the playwright and Artistic Director Cady McClain.
Featuring Axial Ensemble members Tom Ryan and Marisa Lowe.
Copies of Howard's memoir of the same name will also be available for purchase and to be signed by the author.
Date and Location TBD
Cady McClain and Howard Meyer
NOV /DEC 2025:
"The Slide is the Negative"
by Jake Shore
Directed by Paul Smithyman
“At least one critic has compared his previous work to Beckett. In my case, both Harold Pinter and the young David Mamet spring to mind... You should definitely go see this new work by Jake Shore. You will be catching a rising star."
-- Charles Kruger, Stage and Cinema (on Shore's A Groundbreaking Achievement...)
Axial Theatre and JCS Theater Company in association with the Oberon Theatre Ensemble present the world premiere of Jake Shore's THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE at The Chain Theatre beginning previews November 29 with opening slated for December 7. THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE stars three-time Emmy Award winner Cady McClain, who is thrilled to reunite with her Orson’s Shadow co-stars Brad Fryman and Ryan Tramont. The play will be directed by Paul Smithyman, a 30-year theater veteran who has worked on over 150 plays at Lincoln Center Theater.
Following the critical success of A Groundbreaking Achievement of Outrageous Importance That People Scroll By, Barely Impacted—hailed for Jake Shore's mastery of language and "wild acrobatic riffs"—the rising star playwright returns with THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE, a compelling new work exploring sex, friendship, addiction, and the cost of ambition.
When a photographer betrays her closest friend by displaying an intimate, revealing photograph in a prestigious Chelsea gallery, the fallout spirals into a deadly web of infidelity and violence. THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE is a thrilling and urgent exploration of art, consent, and the price of privacy—asking whether wealth and power grant license to destroy lives without consequence.
"The visceral challenge Jake's play throws in your face has this company preparing for electricity on stage and in the seats,” notes director Paul Smithyman. “Buckle up..."
THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE runs November 29 – December 21 with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM with additional performances Wed 12/17 at 7:30pm & Fri 12/19 at 2pm.
The Chain Theatre is located at 312 West 36th Street 4th floor NY, NY 10018
Brad Fryman as "Barry"
Cady McClain as "Kelly"
Ryan Tramont as "Joe"
JULY 2025:
"What Happened Was"
by Walter John Thompson
Directed by Austin Pendleton
Three-time Emmy winner Cady McClain and Tony, Obie, and Drama Desk Award winner Austin Pendleton Reunite
After the successful run of Orson’ s Shadow, the pair return with Ryan Tramont for the world
premiere of Walter John Thompson’s What Happened Was at the Chain Theatre’s 2025 Summer One Act Festival
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Chain Theatre Summer One Act Festival begins July 10 through August 2nd, 2025. With over 90 plays being presented, Program #2 stars Emmy winner Cady McClain (Beyond the Gates, Law and Order: SVU) in Walter John Thompson’s What Happened Was; a dark comedy exploring memory, longing, and the blurry divide between performance and reality. Directed by Obie and Drama Desk Award winning director, Austin Pendleton (Between Riverside and Crazy, Orson’ s Shadow).
“This is a beautiful little play that sneaks up on you,” says Pendleton, “I can’t think of anything more refreshing in these troubled times.”
When: Tuesday, July 22nd at 8PM, Friday, August 1st at 8PM, and Saturday, August 2nd at 8PM
Where: The Chain Theatre’s 3rd floor Theatre, 312 W. 36th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues
About the Director
An ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Austin Pendleton has
appeared in over 250 movies and TV shows. Directing accolades include winning an Obie for
directing Three Sisters by Anton Chekov at Classic Stage Company with Maggie Gyllenhall and a Tony nomination for Best Director for the Broadway production of The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman with Elizabeth Taylor. Recently, he directed Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Top Row: Playwright Walter John Thompson, Assistant Director Will DeVary. Bottom Row: Cady McClain, Austin Pendleton, Ryan Tramont
Photo by Patrick Hamilton at Michael Howard Studios
JUNE 2025:
"The Park"
by Eric Conger
The lights may be back on in Hollywood. But thousands in the industry are still in the dark… financially… emotionally… professionally. On June 21, artists, institutions, and allies gather at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Institute in West Hollywood for a one-night-only staged reading of THE PARK by Eric Conger.
This benefit raises critical funds for the Entertainment Community Fund, supporting workers across the country who keep our industry's creative engine alive.
Stagehands. Writers. Editors. Costumers. Freelancers. Assistants. Actors. Crew. The ones still struggling after shutdowns, strikes, and wildfires.
This event is about action.
Since 2020, the Entertainment Community Fund has distributed over $6 million in emergency assistance to more than 3,000 entertainment workers facing crisis. On June 21, that mission continues…
Executive produced by Axial Theatre Board Member Amanda Quinn Olivar, with Axial Theatre, Zetland Media, in collaboration with the Lee Strasberg Creative Center, and the Marilyn Monroe Theatre. The event is directed by three-time Emmy Award winner Cady McClain.
THE PARK tells the story of a small American town facing life-changing events—themes that feel more urgent now than ever. Playwright Eric Conger’s deeply personal work explores community resilience in the face of devastating change.
In March of 2023, this wonderful play received a development reading through the Axial Theatre SAFEHOUSE program under the title “Zombietown,” directed by Nathan Flower. It was then followed by a staged reading at MTC Creative Center in NYC as “The Park” directed by Axial Artistic Director Cady McClain.
Special thanks to ArtsWestchester and the Westchester County Government for their invaluable support.
Vaccination and Mask Policy:
Consistent with New York City and State recommendations, audience members are strongly encouraged to wear masks in theatres.
MAY 2025:
"The Fundamentalist"
by Juha Jokela
Axial Theatre is proud to present a Scandinavian American Theatre Company production of The Fundamentalist directed by Jason Beckmann (Katonah), produced by Malina Mannarino, featuring John Hickok (Pleasantville) as Markus and Claudia Godi (Brooklyn) as Heidi.
This gripping, thought-provoking play challenges the audience to confront difficult questions about values, worldview, and human responsibility.
About The Fundamentalist
The Fundamentalist follows the story of Markus, a reformed minister, who is confronted byHeidi, a former student turned religiousexremist. As Heidi attempts to "save" Markus from his loss of faith, the play expires profound quests about belief, identity, and moral responsibility in a divided world. Markus (John Hickok), a reformed minister, is approached by Heidi (Claudia Godi), who has become a fervent religious extremist. Through their encounters, a spiritual battle unfolds as each seeks to change the other's worldview. Beneath the surface, however, lies a darker past - a romantic and sexual encounter that continues to haunt them both.
Winner of the Nordic Drama Award, The Fundamentalist is a two-character drama that offers a nuanced examination of fundamentalist beliefs and compels us to reflect on our values, faith, and humanity. The play delves into the complex nature of belief, self-righteousness, and the human responsibility to others, asking: What does it truly mean to believe in something?
The plot, full of unexpected twists, will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. While we won't spoil the details, be assured that the story will unfold in ways that will captivate and intrigue.
Juha Jokela (b. 1970) is an acclaimed Finnish playwright and director known for his bold storytelling and exploration of contemporary issues. He studied directing at the Theatre Academy of Finland and quickly gained recognition for his innovative work in television, theater, and film. Jokela’s writing for the 35-episode TV series Pulkkinen (1999–2001) earned him multiple awards, including the Venla Award for Best Comedy Series.
Jokela’s theatrical debut, Mobile Horror (2003), was met with unprecedented critical acclaim, solidifying his reputation as one of Finland’s most innovative playwrights. The Fundamentalist (2006), his second play, continues to be his most internationally recognized work, having won the 2008 Nordic DramaAward. The play has been produced in multiple countries and remains highly relevant today, exploring themes of faith, ideology, and personal responsibility.
The English translation of The Fundamentalist is by Eva Buchwald.
When:
Thursday, May 15th at 7PM
Friday, May 16th at 8PM
Saturday May 17th at 7PM
Sunday, May 18th at 2PM
Where: St John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave Pleasantville, NY 10570
Claudia Godi
John Hickok
Vaccination and Mask Policy:
Consistent with New York City and State recommendations, audience members are strongly encouraged to wear masks in theatres.
APRIL 2025:
"What We'd Really Like is to Be Together"
by Kate Benson
with post-reading moderation by Samuel Harps
SATURDAY, APRIL 19th, 2025 at 4PM join us for a workshopped reading of this exciting new play with Axial Ensemble members Anthony Barresi Jr, Marisa Lowe, Dan Walworth, Duane Rutter, Lev Harvey, Marilyn Collazo, Quinn Warren and special guest Elizabeth Narciso
Post-reading moderation by Cheryl Davis
Directed by Cady McClain
Synopsis: three couples and a guest meet for a weekend respite from the city at a well appointed home. Discussions lead to revelations and unanticipated events change lives forever.
Kate Benson is a writer and performer who lives in Brooklyn, NY. Writing includes: [Porto] (Bushwick Starr), and A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes (New Georges with Women’s Project, OBIE-winner). She has an MFA in playwriting from Brooklyn College. She is a recipient of the Creative Spirit Award (2023). Performances include: Ulysses (ERS), Seagull (ERS); [Porto] (Bushwick Starr), Variations on the Main (Jack), I’ll Never Love Again (Bushwick Starr), Tiger, Tiger (on the Nature of Violence) (Dixon Place), Fondly, Collette Richland (ERS), Running Away from the One with the Knife (the Chocolate Factory), Nomads (the Incubator), and Good Person of Szechwan (the Public & LaMama).
When: Saturday, April 19th from 4PM - 6PM
Where: St John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave, Pleasantville, NY
Suggested Donation: $15 adults, $10 students
No one will be turned away who cannot pay
Vaccination and Mask Policy:
Consistent with New York City and State recommendations, audience members are strongly encouraged to wear masks in theatres.
Kate Benson
Samuel Harps
Elizabeth Narciso
Cady McClain
MARCH 2025
"A Story About a Girl" by Jacquelyn Reingold
with post-reading discussion moderated by special guest playwright and arts advocate
Cheryl Davis
SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd, 2025 at 4PM join us for a workshopped reading of this exciting new play with Axial Ensemble members Sergio Arguelles Catare, Lev Harvey, Najah Imani Muhammad, Youlim Nam, Tom Ryan, and special guest Camila Canó-Flaviá.
Post-reading moderation by Cheryl Davis
Directed by Cady McClain
Synopsis: Once upon a time there was a neurodiverse girl who had no words. She met an outcast boy who had no friends. They make their own language of love, friendship and ultimate betrayal as they journey through life with and without each other.
“This play is not only a story about a girl, it is a story about life, love, trauma, and coping. The neurodivergent characters are so beautifully scripted, so real on the page, I can imagine how wonderful the play will be onstage. A truly theatrical play with a moving story.” - Sandra de Helen
“A truly moving story of love and friendship in its perfection and imperfection along the journey of life. Well done.” - Cheryl Bear
“I was incredibly moved and captivated by A STORY ABOUT A GIRL. Jacquelyn Reingold writes with so much insight and sensitivity about love, neurodivergence, and the complexity of relationships across the lifespan. Even the stage directions read beautifully, opening the text for such imaginative staging, and the representations of water throughout connect so well to the dialogue and story. This play is also wonderfully layered with experimental elements and would be a delight to watch come alive on stage.” - John Mabey
When: Saturday, March 22nd 4PM - 6PM
Where: St John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave, Pleasantville, NY
Suggested Donation: $15 adults, $10 students
No one will be turned away who cannot pay
Vaccination and Mask Policy:
Consistent with New York City and State recommendations, audience members are strongly encouraged to wear masks in theatres.
L: Jacquelyn Reingold R: Cady McClain
Cheryl Davis
Camila Canó-Flaviá
