MRT presents the McKinney New Works Play Reading Festival, a workshop-forward celebration of emerging voices and new theatrical works in North Texas, running February 12–26, 2026.

The festival concludes with a staged reading of Book Bound by Jordan Madison Teeling, the inaugural winner of the Schulte Prize for Young Playwrights, made possible through the generous support of Rainer and Sandra Schulte. The prize includes a $500 cash award and a professionally staged reading of the winning play.

Festival performances include:

• February 12, 2026 – Better Half Dead by Joan Torres (Newly revised version for MRT)
  
  

• February 19, 2026 – Tar-Tuff by Dr. Andrew Harris (A modern adaptation of Moliere's Tartuffe) 
  
  

• February 26, 2026 – Book Bound by Jordan Madison Teeling (Winner of the Schulte Prize for Young Playwrights)
  
  

Audiences are invited to experience this workshop-forward festival, hearing new works in development and supporting the next generation of playwrights. Festival passes for all three readings are $30, with individual tickets available for $15 each.

All readings will take place at the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts at 7 PM. 
Tickets and additional information are available at mckinneyrep.org