The Culmination of Conservatory Training
Final Plays
In the spring of the second year, graduating actors bring their disciplined training into full professional practice through a series of fully realized theatrical productions in the Rita Morgenthau Theatre.
Presented by the Class of 2026
The 2026 Final Plays
Rita Morgenthau Theatre
The º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½
New York City
Training in Full Practice
At The º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, we continue a long-standing tradition of giving graduating actors the opportunity to put their disciplined training into full professional practice through fully realized theatrical productions. Presented in the Rita Morgenthau Theatre during the spring of the second year, just prior to graduation, the Final Plays represent the culmination of the conservatory experience.
These productions are directed by professional directors and rehearsed over approximately five weeks. Sets and costumes are designed and built by professional technical staff, with assistance from first-year students, creating a collaborative process that mirrors the realities of the professional theatre.
The Bridge to the Profession
Rigor, Imagination, and Discipline
The rehearsal and performance process gives actors a vital opportunity for artistic growth, allowing them to apply the full range of skills developed during their training in a professional setting. The Final Plays offer graduating actors a confident and meaningful transition into their careers.
The 2026 Productions
The Class of 2026 appeared in three fully realized productions, selected with careful attention to the strengths and needs of the graduating ensemble.
Bus Stop
By William Inge
Directed by Pamela Moller Kareman
In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and several weary travelers must remain there until morning. Each brings hopes, fears, and conflicts that come to a head over the course of one chilly winter night.
2026 Performance Schedule
Mr. Burns
By Anne Washburn
Directed by Megan Campisi
What will endure when the cataclysm arrives, the grid fails, society crumbles, and we are faced with the task of rebuilding? Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark comedy explores how the popular culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.
2026 Performance Schedule
The Art of Dining
By Tina Howe
Directed by Cameron King
Cal and Ellen run a small upscale restaurant. Cal is focused on repaying the startup costs by filling seats, while Ellen cares about food quality and keeping him out of the ingredients. Their diners play out a series of personal dramas, culminating in a disastrous and unintentionally hilarious dinner between a shy writer and her potential publisher.
2026 Performance Schedule
Explore the 2026 Playbill
View the complete digital Playbill for production credits, casts, creative teams, crew members, acknowledgements, and additional information about the 2026 Final Plays.
Rita Morgenthau Theatre
The Final Plays are presented in The º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½â€™s historic theatre and are traditionally open to the public.
340 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
office@neighborhoodplayhouse.org
(212) 688-3770