Photo Flash: Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS 2012 Kick-Off Party

The Obie Award-winning Clubbed Thumb recently held a kickoff for its 17th annual program of new plays by emerging writers -- SUMMERWORKS 2012, running May 26-June 30 at the HERE Arts Center in Soho. Actors, playwrights, directors and designers joined Clubbed Thumb's Producing Artistic Director Maria Striar at the SUMMERWORKS launch party. See photos from the event below!

Featuring productions of three new plays – TAKARAZUKA!!! by Susan Soon He Stanton, directed by Lear deBessonet; LUTHER by Ethan Lipton, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll; and MOTEL CHERRY by Peggy Stafford, directed by Meghan Finn – SUMMERWORKS 2012 will offer longer runs for each production, with each show playing nine performances, up from six in past SUMMERWORKS.

This year Clubbed Thumb will co-produce MOTEL CHERRY with New Georges.

With its track record for discovering and supporting new playwriting talent -- in many cases providing writers with their very first production in New York or anywhere -- SUMMERWORKS is one of the most eagerly-anticipated theatrical offerings kicking off the summer stage season in the city. In seasons past, Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS has presented new works by Sarah Ruhl (IN THE NEXT ROOM or THE VIBRATOR PLAY; THE CLEAN HOUSE), Rachel Sheinkin (THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE) , Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw; RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN), Adam Bock (A SMALL FIRE; THE THUGS), Rinne Groff (COMPULSON; THE RUBY SUNRISE), Jordan Harrison (MAPLE AND VINE), Jason Grote (NBCs SMASH), and Lisa D'Amour (DETROIT).

Clubbed Thumb describes its mission as one that "commissions, develops and produces funny, strange and provocative new plays by living American writers." Since its founding in 1996, the company has presented over 80 productions, earned four Obie Awards, and incubated and nurtured hundreds of scripts, careers and collaborations.

Summerworks ‘12 is a part of HEREstay, HERE's curated rental program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical support.

Photo credit: Ben Strothmann