Bad Draft Reading Series is a free, public monthly staged reading series produced by New Wave Theatre Company that gives emerging Chicago playwrights a space to share unfinished work -- drafts that are raw, risky, and still becoming.

In Chicago’s storefront theatre ecosystem, early-career writers often struggle to get developmental opportunities unless a piece is already “production-ready.” Bad Draft flips that model. We invite artists to bring work that isn’t polished yet and place it in front of a live audience for feedback, conversation, and growth.

Each reading features:
• A new or developing play by a Chicago artist
• Volunteer actors from our established performer network
• A facilitated audience dialogue after the reading
• Open, low-barrier access for community members

We have already hosted successful readings that brought together artists and audiences in intimate, joyful, collaborative spaces. The energy is electric. Audiences get to witness process, and writers leave with tangible feedback and new collaborators.

The $1,000 from the Chicago Awesome Foundation will fund the continuation of Bad Draft Reading Series for the remainder of 2026. Because each reading costs approximately $100 to produce (space, printing, basic supplies, and hospitality), this grant would directly fund 10 additional public readings.

This support fills 10 real rooms filled with Chicago artists and neighbors taking creative risks together.

Bad Draft is ambitious in spirit but incredibly feasible in execution. We already have the network, the format, and the community demand. Awesome’s support ensures that financial barriers never prevent this series from continuing.