FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marie Fahlgren

Feb. 28, 2023 marie.fahlgren@montanarep.com

Montana Repertory Theatre and Missoula Public Library Host

Four Part Staged Reading Series, “First Reads”

Be the first to hear plays the Rep is considering for future production at the staged reading
series, “First Reads.”

Montana Repertory Theatre is thrilled to partner with Missoula Public Library for First Reads, a
four-part staged reading series featuring local actors reading four contemporary plays the Rep is
considering for full productions. Staged readings allow these stories to be tested in the
community before sets, costumes, or other theatrical elements are added, letting the audience
and the actors immerse themselves in the text and envision a future production. First Reads is
for anyone who enjoys theatre, audiobooks, or radio plays! Join Montana Repertory Theatre in
the Copper Room at 2:00 on Saturday, March 18, April 8, April 15, and May 6 for First Reads.
Admission is FREE.

The plays selected for First Reads are The Christians by Lucas Hnarth (March 18), Airness by
Chelsea Marcantel (April 8), Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven by Reina Hardy, and The
Roommate by Jen Silverman (May 6).

The Christians: Twenty years ago, Pastor Paul’s church was nothing more than a modest
storefront. Now he presides over a congregation of thousands, with classrooms for Sunday
School, a coffee shop in the lobby, and a baptismal font as big as a swimming pool. Today
should be a day of celebration, but Paul is about to preach a sermon that will shake the
foundations of his church’s belief. A big-little play about faith in America—and the trouble with
changing your mind.

Airness: When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be
easy, but as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds committed to becoming the next
champion, she discovers more to this art form than playing pretend.
*language warning

Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven (Theatre for Young Audiences-Middle & High
School): Annie Jump is a 13-year-old science genius whose alien-obsessed father is the
laughingstock of Strawberry, KS. One night in August, a meteor falls, and Annie meets Althea,
an intergalactic supercomputer who manifests as a mean girl with really great hair. Althea’s here
to help Annie take humanity from the earth to the stars, but being the Chosen One isn’t all glory.
What is Althea hiding? And what will Annie have to sacrifice to fulfill her destiny? A play for all
audiences about finding your place in the universe and intelligent life in your neighborhood.

The Roommate: Sharon, in her mid-fifties, is recently divorced and needs a roommate to share
her Iowa home. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over.
But as Sharon begins to uncover Robyn’s secrets, they encourage her deep-seated desire to
transform her life completely. A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life – and what
happens when the wheels come off.

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All performances are subject to the University of Montana and Missoula City-County Health
Department guidelines surrounding public gatherings and can change anytime. The Rep will
release information about audience safety protocols should changes occur before the
performance.

About the Montana Repertory Theatre (Missoula, Mont.)

Established in 1967, the Montana Repertory Theatre is the resident professional theatre at the
University of Montana. Standing at the cross-section of educational and professional theatre,
The Rep produces work that celebrates, engages, and challenges the people of Missoula and
the state of Montana.