A Space for New Work to Grow
Internal Readings offer writers the opportunity to:
- Hear their scripts in the voices of skilled actors
- Discover what’s working and what wants further exploration
- Engage with story in real time, in front of a generous room
- Develop work without the pressure of production or presentation
Actors participate in service of the story—listening, responding, and helping bring the text to life without imposing interpretation or performance.
Curated with Care
Readings are curated rather than open, ensuring a thoughtful balance of voices, genres, and stages of development. Co-Artistic Director Lee Brock’s curation reflects The Barrow Group’s core values: kindness and a deep respect for story.
Selections prioritize:
- Clear points of view
- Storytelling rooted in lived experience
- Language that invites presence and listening
- Work that benefits from being heard aloud in community
A Proven Launchpad for New Work
Over the years, The Barrow Group’s Internal Readings have played a formative role in the development of major works that have gone on to successful Off-Broadway and Broadway runs, including:
- The Tricky Part and All the Rage by Martin Moran
- Sleepwalk With Me and My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend by Mike Birbiglia
- A Steady Rain by Keith Huff
- Honey Brown Eyes by Stefanie Zadravec
These successes reflect not a formula, but a process—one grounded in listening, trust, and sustained artistic support.
Rooted in Community
Internal Readings are one of the ways The Barrow Group quietly and consistently supports artists over time. They reflect our belief that meaningful work develops best in rooms where people feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and follow the story where it leads.