February 20 - 22 | Boston Center for the Arts
The Ink Spot Readings are returning in Season 15 for another jam-packed weekend of new play development!
The readings showcase some of the most exciting voices in New England’s playwriting community through in-process staged readings and conversations, providing a platform for playwrights to hear their scripts out loud and with an audience – often for the very first time.
These two plays showcase a variety of voices from Boston’s new play community, working across styles and genres to bring dynamic new stories to life!
All tickets are “Pay What you Wish" starting at $10. See links below to purchase your tickets!
Written by Nia Weeks
Directed by Kandyce Whittingham
Dramaturgy by Liv Fassanella
Friday, February 20 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 21 at 2pm
Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont Street
Lyssa is hosting a holiday dinner. Lyssa invites five of her bestest friends. Lyssa hides a knife in her pocket– Lyssa is not herself tonight. In this play, playwright Nia Weeks investigates the weight of The Invisible Load through the lens of horror.
Content Advisories:
Violence, Loud Noises, Flashing Lights
Hailing from Philadelphia, Nia Weeks is a young creative devoted to honoring the legacy of Black American women through writing and performance. While studying theater at Harvard College, she appeared in more than eight stage productions and two short films— her talents earning the 2025 Jonathan Levy Award for Acting. Nia has since stepped behind the curtain to focus on writing for both stage and screen. Our Friend Lyssa!—her professional playwriting debut—began as an undergraduate thesis that received high departmental honors and cum laude distinction. In addition to her budding career as a playwright, Nia also works as a musician and producer.
Written by Madison Mondeaux
Directed by Jake Tolentino
Dramaturgy by Jo Michael Rezes
Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 22 at 2pm
Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont Street
Eric, a closeted gay professional wrestler, finds freedom in performing as Viktor Cain, a villainous character built from homophobic stereotypes. When Eric begins a secret romance with the up-and-coming rookie Adrian Mercury, he begins to lose control of his persona. As the boundary between the ring and the real world blurs, Eric must confront the parts of himself he's learned to hate, or relinquish his life to Viktor Cain.
Content Advisories:
Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Hateful language, Violence
Madison Mondeaux (she/her) is a playwright, fiction writer, stage manager, and enjoyer of all things spooky. As a queer woman, she is especially interested in seeking out and creating art that amplifies and uplifts her community. She graduated cum laude from Knox College with a BA in Creative Writing, with additional college honors in Playwriting and Directing, in 2015. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College (class of ’26), where she was the 24-25 Rod Parker Playwriting Fellow. Her play Red Wolf premiered at Emerson in March 2025 as part of that fellowship, to rave reviews. Madison’s plays have enjoyed productions nationally, including at Knox College, B Street Theatre, The Pulp Stage, the New School for the Arts and Academics, and more. Her fiction and nonfiction has been published in Catch, Quiver, Cellar Door, and Stork magazines. She has stage managed for Rutabaga Story Co. and Portal Productions in Portland, OR. Madison was born and raised in Lake Oswego, OR. She currently lives in Newton, MA. She aspires to live in a swamp under a log, cackling and asking riddles of passers-by.