2025 Amplify
New Play Festival
Ongoing — July 2025
Logan Center for the Arts
15 E 60th St, Chicago
About
Definition’s annual Amplify New Play Festival (ANPF) is a community celebration encompassing film screenings of this year’s Amplify finalists, introductory artist workshops, and live staged readings from the previous year of Amplify winners. Learn more on Amplify’s history →
Festival Events
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Amplify Series Five Film Screenings
July 25 + 26, 2025
Screening Room, Logan CenterWatch a feature length film of the eight filmed Series Five finalist scenes compiled together with filmed interviews with the playwrights—up on the big screen.
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Amplify Series Four Winner Readings
Ongoing in July
Room 501, Logan CenterExperience live readings from 2024’s Amplify Series Four winners. Following their first year of development, these readings are a helpful way to facilitate feedback.
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The 101 Series: Artist Workshops
July 26, 2025
9th Floor Penthouse, Logan CenterParticipate in a series of introductory workshops led by local industry professionals. Workshops are intended for a wide audience range with any level of previous experience, but encouraged for ages 14+.
Amplify Series Five
Film Screenings
July 24 + 25, 2025
Screening Room, Logan Center
Watch a feature-length film of the eight filmed Series Five finalist scenes compiled with filmed interviews of the playwrights—up on the big screen.
Amplify Series Four Winner Readings
Ongoing in July
Room 501, Logan Center
Join us throughout the month of July for live readings from the winners of 2024’s Amplify Series Four. These pieces are in their first year of development with Definition. Readings are an informal way to gauge audience feedback on the continually evolving pieces.
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Death of a Marriage
by Tina Jenkins Bell
Friday, July 5 | 6pm
Caroline Peel James’ life has suddenly made a severe right turn after discovering her husband has dementia. Her eyes are wide with possibilities.
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Death of Eve
byLydia Moss
Friday, July 11 | 6pm
Together Fay and her father run a small run-down tech operation that creates small AI robots. Enter McIntosh Enterprises; a tech conglomerate on the forefront of the industry proposing their greatest creation be altered to host and deliver children.
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Keerah
by Netta Walker
Friday, July 18 | 6pm
Two aspiring young writers meet in Chicago while working at a restaurant in a west side neighborhood on the cusp of gentrification. Their juxtaposing backgrounds creates a tension neither of them have ever experienced before - leading them to explore the art of cruelty.
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Asé Shakerz
by Felicia Oduh
Friday, July 25 | 6pm
It’s the night before the Gala, and the members of Asé Shakerz African dance team are squeezing in one last practice before their history-making performance as the first Black student group to headline their university's annual multicultural celebration event.
The 101 Series:
Artist Workshops
Saturday, July 26
Room 501, Logan Center
Join us for a series of introductory workshops led by local industry professionals. Workshop admission is only $5/person, but require advance registration. Workshops are intended for a wide audience range, but encouraged for ages 14+.
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Improv 101
Instructed by Tyrone Phillips
July 20 | 1-2pm
Throughout this class, folks will be introduced to improv basics to help develop scene work, hone in on active listening skills and fun practical exercises that will keep you saying "yes, and.”
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Dance 101
Instructed by Sadira Muhammad
July 20 | 1:30-2:30pm
Whether you're a seasoned dancer, an actor that moves or just looking to dip your toes into the world of dance, join us for an hour of moving your body with a live drummer.
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Playwriting 101
Instructed by Tina Fakhrid-Deen
July 20 | 1:30-3pm
Whether you’ve never written anything before, experienced in another medium of writing, or a just looking to sharpen your skills, this mini course will review how to develop characters through dialogue and how to think in theatrical terms.
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Acting 101
Instructed by Alana Arenas
July 20 | 2-3pm
Whether you're a seasoned actor or just beginning, you'll participate in fun acting exercises and gain valuable insights into the craft to enhance your skills and build stage confidence.
Sponsorship
