Prairie Coteau Reading at Dramatists Guild
KBO Theatre Company will stage a reading of *Prairie Coteau*, a play by Liam Mitchell directed by Angelina Kristic, March 13–14 at the Dramatists Guild Foundation in Manhattan. The reading features a notable cast and offers insight into the development process behind contemporary theater.
The upcoming reading of *Prairie Coteau* is a significant step for a play that has already garnered accolades. The work previously won the Sue Nims Distinguished Playwright Award from the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, an event co-founded by the legendary playwright Edward Albee. This early recognition highlights the script's potential and the anticipation surrounding its further development. Playwright Liam Mitchell has a history of his works being presented at notable New York venues, including The Players Club, Henry Street Settlement, HB Studio, and Abingdon Theatre Company. His other plays include titles such as *Youngstown*, *Widows Weir*, *Marginal Character*, and *Over Theatre*, showcasing a consistent dedication to the craft of playwriting. The KBO Theatre Company, responsible for this staged reading, is helmed by founder and artistic director Angelina Kristic. The company specializes in developing new works, having staged productions and readings in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and London. Kristic herself has recently directed other readings at the Dramatists Guild Foundation, including *The Dealers: Part Deux* and *Music Between Us*. The cast brings a wealth of experience from both stage and screen. Dikran Tulaine, for instance, has appeared in television series such as *FBI*, *The Blacklist*, and *The Night Agent*, alongside productions with the Royal National Theatre. The ensemble also includes Jonathan Beebe, Annie Unger, Annita Adamou, and Noelle McGrath. Set in 1877 on the Dakota plains, *Prairie Coteau* delves into the life of a Civil War veteran attempting to build a new life for himself and his family after receiving 160 acres of land through the Homestead Act. The play's narrative revolves around the formidable challenges of farming the land and the complexities of his relationships with his wife, his mother-in-law, and other members of the burgeoning town. The reading will take place at the Dramatists Guild Foundation, an organization dedicated to aiding and nurturing writers for the theater. By offering a space for playwrights to hear their work read by professional actors, the foundation plays a crucial role in the development of new American plays. This event offers a public glimpse into that vital process.
