949 Commonwealth Ave. Boston; (617) 353-5443
Boston University is well-respected for its graduate playwrighting program, headed by Nobel laureate Derek Walcott. Virtually hidden on BU’s campus, the Boston Playwrights Theatre is home to readings and fully-staged productions of the work done in this program. Tucked down an alley behind the McDonalds, this building houses two fully-equipped, modem theater spaces.
One of the best deals is the New Stage Series, workshop productions of new plays, followed by a discussion with the playwright, director, and actors. Admission is free. Main-stage productions, ready for a larger (read: paying) audience, are still a bargain at $12 for general admission, $6 for students and seniors.
Filling out its schedule of plays, poetry readings, and lectures, BU also rents this space to other companies, such as the Chekhov Film and Theater Project and even some Equity productions. Tickets are usually $10 or less.
