Julia’s Reading Room was founded by Julia Miles, Gail Kriegel and Maxine Kern as a place for playwrights and directors to hear their work. Julia founded both the League of Professional Theatre Women and The Women’s Project, (now known as WP). As Producer of The Women’s Project, Julia scheduled regular monthly readings for the playwrights and directors to get feedback for their new works, to network and to make friendships.
After Julia retired, she missed working at the theatre. At a League event, she, Gail and Maxine discussed the excitement and the benefits of those monthly readings. And when they were trying to come up with a space, Julia said “I’m all alone in a big 3 bedroom apt on Central Park West, why can’t we do theater there.” For the next 5 years, once a month Julia’s Reading Room met in Julia’s living room with a League member who had a play to develop, a cast, an invited audience of no more than 20, and Julia in her special chair listening to the works in process.
She always made everyone feel at home; always gracious, and Julia’s Reading Room became, to the League, an important, supportive space because there, over a glass of wine, a cheese and cracker, someone’s homemade cookie, you could hear your work and know that the feedback came from friends and colleagues who understood the process.
When Julia was no longer able to host the readings, we were generously hosted for 2 years in the homes of other League members. Then, the readings were held at the New York Public Library. In May of 2020, we had our first reading on Zoom. The readings will continue on Zoom until we are able to convene again in person.
Any League Full member or International member may apply for the yearly random lottery. The Playwright and Director are required to be members of the League. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Co-Chairs, Marcina Zaccaria and Christine Cirker at jrr@theatrewomen.org.