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HILLSBORO ARTISTS' REGIONAL THEATRE Presents:
2026 Fertile Ground Festival of New Works at HART
HART is proud to once again represent the Westside as a premiere official venue of The Fertile Ground Festival of New Works. It will be a celebration of bold, original voices and emerging playwrights. This year’s lineup showcases an incredible range of stories that are heartfelt, hilarious, daring, and deeply human.
Join us this April as we bring 19 exciting new works to life on our stage through script readings, workshop productions, and staged performances, all created by Pacific Northwest local artists.
NOTE: HART is offering a free ticket for Fertile Ground Festival of New Works Portland Unlimited Pass-Holders. Please email info@hart-theatre.org if you wish to reserve tickets to this performance.
2026 Fertile Ground Lineup
April 10th - 7:30p
When I was a Mexican: A Bollywood Musical by Alisha Christiansen
from the story inspired by Kristin Tehrani
When I Was a Mexican: A Bollywood Musical – Ana has a big birthday on the horizon, and finally, it’s time. She’ll stop at nothing to find her father. It’s a story of identity (and mis-identity), family (and found family), all with the support, encouragement, and cajoling of Ana’s friends. With a freshly developing gorgeous score by Indian film composer Balamurali Balu and Mini Sharma Ogle’s emotion-filled choreography, this enhanced staged reading of a new musical in progress is sure to be one of Fertile Ground’s hottest tickets for 2026. Join Ana’s journey through her unique and yet familiar contemporary story that will resonate with many who travel their own paths of cultural identities, life surprises, and community belonging.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Musical Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
All Ages Welcome
Performance Length:
120 minutes - 15 minute intermission
April 11th - 2p
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Almost All About Eva
by Kim Sandstrom
Almost All About Eva, historically researched and written by Kim (Handgen) Sandstrom, is based on the life of Eva Lewis, a real woman born in the midst of the US Civil War in an Underground Railroad town, Adrian, Michigan. The vibrant Eva is brought to life on stage as the audience travels across nearly fifty years of Eva’s lived experience. The play explores Eva’s personal awakening and self-authentication: her recognition of herself as different, independent, and her drive for an education. Her story is set against the rigid social constraints of a time when women had little voice or agency in the basic decisions of their lives. By intertwining historical record, inherited memory, and theatrical imagination, Almost All About Eva examines how a woman’s identity can be both shaped by her era and quietly resistant to it—and how reclaiming that identity generations later becomes an act of recognition and restoration.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Musical Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
suitable for ages teen and up but not suitable for younger children. There are adult themes and some language.
Performance Length:
80 minutes - 15 minute intermission
Can’t make it to Oregon? Watch Online at Unboxed Productions Instead! Visit https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/unboxed-productions/699793e475006f1d3cc374e1
An Evening of New Works - April 11th - 7:30p
Howard vs. Love by Abrianna Aydee
Now who said you couldn’t find love during the apocalypse?
After a fateful night, local party boy, Howard, meets the love of his life. Problem is, he can’t
seem to remember anything about her! Good thing for him, he has his two best friends, the power of the internet, and a local diner to help on his quest for love. There just might be one problem, Howard’s got a bit of a hankering for brains.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
Comedy, One-Act, Mature Themes, PG-13
Performance Length:
70 minutes
THERE WILL BE A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION BETWEEN READINGS
Don't Cry for the Wolves by Cat Winters
Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Cat Winters reimagines “Little Red Riding Hood” as a haunting, modern fairy tale. When a wolf roams nearby in the deep, dark woods, Ruby and her grandmother must decide who to trust and who to fear.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Early Workshop
Rating/Recommended Age:
Some mature content
Performance Length:
30 minutes
April 12th - 2p
All's Well that Ends Sufficiently
by Mark Saunders
“All’s Well that Ends Sufficiently” is a comic romp set in Merry Old England. The year
is 1560, give or take, and the town is Thatwhich, an up-and-coming market town south of
London. When Thatwhich native Henry Goodenough, a self-proclaimed bard, ends his
apprenticeship with the Privy Council in London, he returns home to marry childhood
sweetheart Lady Penelope. Alas and alack, the course of true love never runs smooth.
Penelope’s father is the Right Worshipful Mayor of Thatwhich and is overly protective of his
family. To complicate matters further -- and unknown to Henry -- she suffers from an undefined
illness.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
This play is suitable for all Ages, from Dark to Modern, and may verily trigger
much laughing. Those prone to coughing fits are advised to bring their inhalers.
Performance Length:
120 minutes - 15 minute intermission
April 12th - 7:30p
Freedom: A Rock Musical
Book, Music & Lyrics by Chari Smith
Show Description:
Freedom is a high-energy rock musical by Chari Smith—a bold reimagining of the story of Moses. It pulls back the curtain on this ancient tale, giving voice to the women whose courage has long been overlooked and revealing the family who shaped him. A powerful story of our shared humanity that asks: what are you willing to fight for?
Genre/Performance Style
-
Musical Theatre
Project Type:
-
Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
Freedom explores mature themes connected to the original story on which it is based. Some content may be emotionally intense for younger audiences. Parental guidance is advised. Recommended for ages 10+.
Performance Length:
70 minutes - 15 minute intermission
Can’t make it to Oregon? Watch Online Instead! Visit www.charismith.com/freedomthemusical
A limited-time watch online ticket lets you stream a recording of the live performance after the show.
April 16th - 7:30p
Goodnight, Roseburg!
by Madeline Thompson
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Show Description:
Who even watches public access television? It’s the final taping of the less-than-popular late night talk show, Goodnight Roseburg, and it will take every trick in the book for the scrappy crew behind the scenes to make it to showtime as they deal with workplace crushes, unhinged divas, incompetent coworkers, and a special guest gone wild.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Early Workshop
Rating/Recommended Age:
PG (contains some adult language)
Performance Length:
45 minutes - 10 minute intermission
An Evening of New Works 2 - April 17th - 7:30p
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Checkerboard Chicks by Allison Fradkin
Show Description:
It's the 1960s, when one's complexion could be cause for rejection and the object of one's affection could be cause for objection. Best friends Dina and Patrina, who make up one half of America's first interracial girl group, aren't exactly thrilled about the tepid topics they'll be trilling about: men, men, and men. But their true feelings are, well, unmentionable. Will they decide to hide like a 45 in a record sleeve, or will they refuse to let their love wither on the vinyl?
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
Ages 12 and up
Performance Length:
15 minutes
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Pest Control by Celeste Thompson
Show Description:
Ants invade a widow’s home, but the exterminator’s visit shines a light on what the real problem is. Pest Control shows how even small connections help with isolation and remind us of our strength.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
PG, mild language; themes of grief and loneliness
Performance Length:
15 minutes
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Good on Paper by Celeste Thompson
Show Description:
As Mel and JT address wedding invitations, Mel starts to spiral with her anxieties and question the purpose of marriage in the modern age. Good on Paper explores expectations, the roles we play, and choosing commitment despite doubts.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
R: Recommended for adult audiences due to strong language and mature relationship themes.
Performance Length:
10 minutes
THERE WILL BE A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION HERE
Rebel! 3 ten-minute plays
by Maria Choban and Brett Campbell
Show Description:
Posing As Sodomite: Fashionista Oscar Wilde goes toe to toe with a boxing Aristocrat, pitting love against his better judgement.
Safe Distance: When top cop grandma goes too far, how far will you go?
Rule of 3: Three world leaders nearly screw up the end of civilization.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
PG-13 - Some mature content
Performance Length:
Posing As Sodomite: 10 minutes
Safe Distance: 10 minutes
Rule of 3: 10 minutes
A Matinee of New Works - April 18th - 2p
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Lethal Indecision by Deborah Burdzik
Show Description:
A young man finds himself before a jury who will decide if he lives or dies. How did
he end up here? Kenny tells the harrowing story of his life leading up to him being charged
with murder and facing the death penalty. This play explores the nexus of remorse, life,
death, and mercy in the criminal justice system.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
R (18+) - Contains adult language and mature subject matter, including discussion of real-world violence and crime. Some moments may be distressing.
Performance Length:
60 minutes
THERE WILL BE A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION HERE
Babies in Waiting by Virginia Howe Kincaid
Show Description:
Expectant mothers compare their pregnancies amid commentary from an unseen source.
Set: An ob/gyn's waiting room with three chairs/blocks.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
PG-13 - The play explores attitudes about pregnancy, some positive and some negative.
Performance Length:
15 minutes
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Little Lizzie Plots Revenge by Linda Maxon
Show Description:
Mothers, daughters, lost loves and social media revenge help Little Lizzie, failed teenage tap dancer, stand up. A silly, fun comedy, with a few twists, and a video , “Little Lizzie Plots Revenge” will have you tapping your own toes at the end. It’s that feel good show that has you walk in and Conga line out of the theatre.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
PG but children with parents is ok. Lots of physical humor. Comedy work-in-progress with a revenge video.
Performance Length:
30 minutes
An Evening of New Works 3 - April 18th - 7:30p
Gnosis: A Play in Two Acts by Abrianna Aydee
Show Description:
Gnosis invites the audience to take an intimate look at the collision of lives between two lonely hearts, Wren and Eve. Wren is an avid keeper of their routine, rarely straying from expectation. Their life follows the same pattern: work, eat, have a bad date, recoup at the local bar. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Eve is a girl continuously wondering where the wind will take her next. Her future is a blank canvas of possibility. As the two embark on a relationship together a question arises to the surface, will this time be different?
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
Drama, Work-in-progress, Full Length, Mature Themes, PG-13
Performance Length:
70 minutes
THERE WILL BE A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION HERE
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Plum by Katie Souza
Show Description:
"Plum" follows Clarice as she cares for her mother, Delilah, who has dementia. After her mother suddenly passes away, Clarice is haunted by plums and thinks it's a sign from her mom that Delilah knows what Clarice did - or rather, didn't do - in the moment leading up to her death.
Genre/Performance Style
-
Theatre
Project Type:
-
Staged Reading
Rating/Recommended Age:
Rated R for strong language and mature themes.
Trigger Warnings: Parental death, and dementia.
Event Keywords: Drama; Supernatural; Staged Reading
Performance Length:
45 minutes