The Redbud Community Play Reading Series is a free monthly reading series in which community members and theatre professionals share in the joy of reading plays aloud together.
These unrehearsed readings offer opportunities to appreciate plays written by local playwrights and IU alums, and established plays we may not otherwise be exposed to.
This month’s reading is . . .
THE DEAD PETS CLUB by Brennen Edwards
Milkshake is missing. To her surprise, Claire is joined by three do-gooder retirees to help search the neighborhood for her beloved cat. The Dead Pets Club embarks on a winding path that leads to Baba Yaga’s front door (please, call her Babette), and a journey of sex, love, friendship and change.
(No animals harmed in this new comedy.)
Brennen Edwards is a southern Indiana playwright living in Bloomington. Their first comedy, COFFEE BREAK (written about her snarky tenure as a Starbucks barista) had a sold out weekend in the Firebay Theater in 2018. COYOTES (about a disastrous family dinner during a snow storm) had a play reading at the BPP in 2019. Since then they’ve kept writing, favoring dark comedy with ping-pong dialogue and midwestern settings. Her latest, SUPER TRAP 3000 (about the hunt for a raccoon living in the walls of a community college) was a part of the Redbud Books community play reading series in 2025. Special thanks to Annalise Cain. You can find them and more of their work on New Play Exchange.
Interested in performing?
Fill out this form and we’ll do our best to incorporate you into future readings!
“[this series] pairs playwrights, actors and audience in a casual group setting that encourages engaging conversations. As a local playwright it can be difficult to find places to share my work within Bloomington. This play reading series has helped to fill that need in the community.”
-Brennen Edwards, local playwright
Performers from the reading of ‘a profoundly affectionate passionate devotion to someone; noun’ by debbie tucker green 
Friends enjoying homemade sancocho at the play reading of ‘Sancocho’ by Christin Eve Cato 
Homemade sancocho for the ‘Sancocho’ reading! 
Performers from the reading of ‘Sancocho’ by Christin Eve Cato 
Performers from the reading of ‘Tragedy: A Tragedy’ 
Performers from the reading of ‘Tragedy: A Tragedy’
Want to learn more? Email playreading@redbudbooks.org with your questions
This programming is supported by a City of Bloomington Arts Commission Arts Project Grant and a Psi Iota Xi Thrift Shop Grant.
