College theater partnership for stage debuts 2026 shows

"The Race" playwright Brian Daye.

Common Thread Theatre Collective is showcasing new North Carolina playwrights for its summer programming.

The stage collaborative founded by faculty at Davidson College and North Carolina A&T State University will present “The Race,” written by Brian Daye and “Group Massage Therapy” by David Schoenfeld. The plays will be shown at Davidson’s Barber Theater, 310 North Main St., June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. June 21. The stage shifts to Greensboro and A&T’s Dudley Building, 202 University Circle, on June 28 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. June 29. 

All performances are pay-what-you-can. Tickets can be reserved at etix.com or call (704) 894-2912

The showcase is in keeping with the initiative’s goal of focusing on underrepresented voices and stories. The company cultivates the talents of students from both schools as actors, managers, designers, and technicians.

“The Race” centers on a Black criminal defense attorney who represents a white supremacist on death row after a wrongful murder conviction. The lawyer is the inmate’s last hope for clemency.

“Group Massage Therapy” focuses centers on four women therapists facing challenges like blurred professional boundaries, emotional labor, and client entitlement that affect their work and personal lives. Together, they explore the meaning of healing and self-protection. 

A reception will be held before the Saturday readings and afterward a discussion to engage the playwrights, directors, and actors. 

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