The South Carolina New Play Festival (SCNPF) is excited to present its 2025 multi-day event featuring performances by viral magic sensation Piff the Magic Dragon and Broadway star Mary Kate Morrissey. Discover groundbreaking new plays and musicals from an extraordinary lineup of artists including Rachel Bonds, Michael Kooman and Chris Dimond, Lyra Nalan, John van der Put (Piff the Magic Dragon) and Matt Schatz, and Aurin Squire.

The 2025 festival will also host the final competition of South Carolina's Next Broadway Star, showcasing talented teenagers vying for scholarships judged by Broadway luminaries like Michael Minarik, Associate Professor of Acting, Bria Walker Rhoze and casting director Merri Sugarman.

Schedule of Events

August 7, 2025

7:00 PM: Merlin Returns Starring PIFF The Magic Dragon at Gunter Theatre

The Vegas Headliner and "Magician of the Year" Piff the Magic Dragon is cast as Merlin in a revival of the 1983 Broadway flop starring Doug Henning in "Merlin Returns". The laugh-out-loud parody focuses on the backstage drama as Piff and his Vegas sidekicks come into increasing conflict with the musical theater actors playing the roles of The Queen, The Prince, and young Merlin (roles which were originally performed on Broadway by Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, and Christian Slater). Expect jaw-dropping tricks, over-the-top characters, and an outrageous story full of the best magic tricks ever put onstage.

August 8, 2025

7:00 PM: Merlin Returns Starring Piff The Magic Dragon at Gunter Theatre

The Vegas Headliner and "Magician of the Year" Piff the Magic Dragon is cast as Merlin in a revival of the 1983 Broadway flop starring Doug Henning in "Merlin Returns". The laugh-out-loud parody focuses on the backstage drama as Piff and his Vegas sidekicks come into increasing conflict with the musical theater actors playing the roles of The Queen, The Prince, and young Merlin (roles which were originally performed on Broadway by Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, and Christian Slater). Expect jaw-dropping tricks, over-the-top characters, and an outrageous story full of the best magic tricks ever put onstage.

8:00 PM - The Break at The Warehouse Theatre

The Break is a rock musical about a couple who, after ten years together, decide to take a one-month break from each other to date around, and sleep around, and see if a lifetime contract and marriage is their thing. During their 30-day break the two lovers discover significant truths about themselves and their relationships. The Break will speak to all of us who had a long-term relationship that affected our lives, but maybe wasn't "the one" for the rest of our life.

August 9, 2025

9 AM - 1 PM: Street Theatre And Live Arts Market at Greenville Downtown Main Street

Join us Saturday morning as we bring the energy of the festival to Main Street with our Live Arts Market & Fair — a vibrant outdoor event showcasing live arts organizations from across South Carolina.

From theater companies like South Carolina Children's Theatre and Greenville Theatre, to performing arts groups like Greenville Ballet and Greenville Symphony, to beloved venues like The Radio Room and educational programs from Furman University and ARMES — this is your one-stop shop for discovering the full spectrum of live arts in our state.

Whether you're a fan, performer, volunteer, or student, you'll find countless ways to get involved. And don't miss the excitement at the front of the market, where our extraordinary circus artists will light up the street with live performances throughout the morning.

Come explore, connect, and celebrate the arts with us!

10 AM - 9 PM: Insider Sessions

SCNPF's "Insider Sessions" are professional development workshops and masterclasses for those in the industry, including established professionals, emerging and early-career artists, and theatre students. All sessions are led by experienced arts leaders and luminaries and provide a seminar-environment where discussion is highly encouraged.

11:30am Secrets from a Casting Director
12:30pm Professional Training Programs
4:30 Voice Over work in animation
6:00pm Writing your Play or Pilot
9:30pm Broadway Karaoke Night: Sing Your Heart Out

Cost: $25

5 PM - 8 PM: Outdoor Variety Stage

Downtown Greenville's outdoor venues come alive with a variety of thrilling artistic performances all weekend long! Experience incredible free entertainment outdoors featuring juggling, music, and circus thrills.

On Main Street
9:00am Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud
10:00am Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
11:00am Street Circus

In Falls Park
Emcee: Christina Gelsone
5:00pm Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
6:00pm Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud
7:00pm Street Circus

2:00 PM - Mariah, Or The Passageway at Centre Stage

Mariah, or The Passageway centers on a family who gathers for Sadie's 70th birthday party. Her son Alex and his girlfriend arrive to surprise his mother, only to find the house is already full with Sadie's much younger boyfriend, Ben, Alex's struggling older brother, Nick, and a new tenant, Mariah, with whom Alex had a confusing and intimate relationship with years ago. This new play explores how our bodies struggle to carry psychic wounds, and the danger of leaving those wounds unattended.

6:00 PM - South Carolina's Next Broadway Star

With
Carnegie Mellon Associate Professor of Acting: Bria Walker-Rhoze
Head of IAMT: Michael Minarik
Broadway Casting Director: Merri Sugarman

We are proud to introduce a Scholarship contest aimed at discovering and supporting high school musical theater students in South Carolina.

The public final round will be held at the Governor's School for Arts and Humanities on August 9 and will open with a performance and then the 9-12 finalists will perform and receive public feedback from Carnegie Mellon Associate Professor of Acting, Bria Walker-Rhoze, Broadway Casting Director, Merri Sugarman and Head of the American Institute for Musical Theatre, Michael Minarik.

The top three contestants will be awarded scholarships to further their theater education: 1st Place $5,000, 2nd Place $2,500, 3rd Place $1,000. The scholarship funds can be applied to tuition, application fees, travel expenses for theater programs, or private acting lessons and workshops.

8:00 PM - The Break at The Warehouse Theatre

The Break is a rock musical about a couple who, after ten years together, decide to take a one-month break from each other to date around, and sleep around, and see if a lifetime contract and marriage is their thing. During their 30-day break the two lovers discover significant truths about themselves and their relationships. The Break will speak to all of us who had a long-term relationship that affected our lives, but maybe wasn't "the one" for the rest of our life.

August 10, 2025

12:00 PM: My Favorite Sociopath at The Warehouse Theatre

"My Favorite Sociopath" centers on three journalism students who are willing to stretch the truth to get the best story. It is a show that explores the way media seeks to divide and enrage audiences in order to get the most eyes on a story and profoundly relevant now in the social media age. "Sociopath" was commissioned by Audible Theatre.

3:00 PM: The Drought Girl at South Carolina Children's Theatre

The Drought Girl follows Nemo, a fourth-grade girl who prefers to play by herself but is constantly teased by her obnoxious table-mate, Stone. Their dynamic changes with the arrival of a strange mythical girl who possesses supernatural gifts and curses. The Drought Girl is one tale about two unlikely friendships, told from three perspectives.

5 PM - 8 PM: Outdoor Variety Stage

Downtown Greenville's outdoor venues come alive with a variety of thrilling artistic performances all weekend long! Experience incredible free entertainment outdoors featuring juggling, music, and circus thrills.

In Falls Park
Emcee: Christina Gelsone
5:00 Street Circus
6:00 Paris, the Hip-Hop Juggler
7:00 Carlos Cruz and Nouveau Sud

7:00 PM: Broadway Cabaret at Hyatt Regency

(Dinner starts at 6:00 PM)

Starring Wicked's Elphaba, Mary Kate Morrissey

This once-in-a-lifetime event is a combination of a cabaret-style performance paired with a behind-the-scenes interview with Broadway celebrity Mary Kate Morrissey! Known for her show-stopping performances in Wicked and Mean Girls, Mary Kate brings her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence to Greenville for one night only. From beloved Broadway hits to personal favorites, this intimate cabaret promises an unforgettable night of music, laughter, and inspiration. Don't miss the chance to see this Broadway star shine live on stage—grab your tickets today!

Date: August 7-10, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Greenville, SC 29601.

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