The playreading is the troupe's primary function. There are usually two or three playreadings each semester, each having anywhere from two to five plays being read. Plays are usually due to the Artistic Director via email about a week before the reading. He then assigns actors to the roles in each show so that the actors may look over the parts. Hopefully, everyone drags themselves out of bed the day of the reading. The first play is read through. The chairs are then arranged in a circle. We then go through four stages of discussion:

1) General feelings about the play. The actors and other spectators give their initial knee-jerk reactions, both good and bad.

2) Questions from the playwright. The playwright gets to ask questions to those whi just read/heard the play. It is helpful if the playwright thinks of these ahead of time. Some possible questions include: are there any lines you thought were out of character? Did you find any holes in the plot? Any slow-moving/unnecessary moments? What did you think of the character of Jim? etc.

3) Questions to the playwright. These must be non-judgemental. Usually to clear up uncertain points. These are not comments, but merely questions. Examples include: What are you trying to accomplish with the play? Do you plan on making this scene a one-act, full play, or leaving it as-is? Do you see Trisha as a good character?

4) Comments. We are especially careful about the comments. Comments must always be preceded by the following statement. "I have a comment about *blank*, would you like to hear it?" The blank is obviously filled in with whatever the comment is about. If the playwright agrees, the comment can be made. These can be both positive and negative, but negative comments should be phrased constructively ("Perhaps you could consider adding some more depth to this character") rather than negatively ("I hate this horribly underdeveloped character").