Cherry Picking

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Cherry Picking

Cherry Picking is an annual opportunity for writers, both established and burgeoning, to create new m Initially, each submission remains anonymous.

WHAT

Cherry Picking is an annual opportunity for writers, both established and burgeoning, to create new material for performance in one night of staged reading. HOW

Each year, a group of producers gathers and develops the theme for Cherry Picking. This annual meeting allows the creative team to examine issues that are somehow charged. This may be a hot topic politically, a fascinating sociologi

cal phenomenon, a nagging question, a captivating image, and so on. A “Call for Submissions” is distributed and writers are invited to tackle the challenge of writing a short play based on the given theme or assignment. The submissions are read by a committee whose members choose the line-up for that year’s event. The bravery, wisdom, and candor of our writers is unparalleled. They willingly take on the challenge, fly in the face of fear, and the results are consistently inspiring, regardless of whether or not their work is heard onstage. WHY

Originally developed in 1998, Cherry Picking was established to provide a forum and an audience for both new writers cutting their teeth on the challenge of dramatic writing and visual artists who wanted the opportunity to have their work exhibited. In its first two years of inception, we asked writers to submit work they were in the process of writing or had already written. This was a wonderful way for their work to be heard, however we also discovered showcasing pieces of widely varying lengths, themes, and development a somewhat disjointed evening for the audience. In addition, established writers were looking for the same chance to access a no-pressure forum of development. Things must evolve. And so they did. In our third year, Cherry Picking found its true form. Embracing our mission statement of fostering creativity, we asked each participating artist to create something entirely new strictly for the purpose of Cherry Picking and opened the event up to writers in all stages of their careers.

05/14/2026

Did you hear? NINETY-NINE writers took on the challenge and are writing plays for this year’s CP: The In-Between. NINETY. NINE.

These writers range from critically acclaimed playwrights to people who write only for pleasure, if at all, and even to people who have barely picked up a pen. 
That’s one of the things that makes Cherry Picking so special. 
Cherry Picking is a space where anything feels possible. 
Each year, we receive work from so many people, some of whom never imagined they could write a play. And yet so often, we see these small seeds blossom into full works of theater - receiving productions, winning awards, sparking even more new work, and launching careers. Every year we hear stories of how this experience gives writers a new sense of what they’re capable of creating. 
Our greatest pride is helping people discover that they can create something new and giving them a place to try. The plays are just a cherry on top.
 If you haven’t yet joined us in supporting this year’s Cherry Picking, we hope today will be the day. Every dollar makes a difference.
 Now is the time to join our donors and play your part in this summer’s new works and big fun.

Play your part. Head to the link in our bio.

03/19/2026

Have you ever wanted to join the CPHQ team? ⭐️

Now’s. Your. Chance.

We are hiring this year’s intern and we hope it’s YOU!

Contact us with any an all interest and inquiries. 🍒

07/29/2025

It’s hard to believe that CP25 was two weeks ago. We are still pinching ourselves - what a summer! We flew in the face of fear for our twenty-fifth year and we could not be more grateful to our actors, audiences, writers and all the folks behind the scenes who make this summer soiree a holiday we all look forward to. And of course our BIGGEST cheers to for making our home away from home so sweet!!See you in ‘26. Cheers to cherries!

07/16/2025

THERE ARE STILL SEATS AVAILABLE FOR TONIGHT- our third and final night of CP25. Do NOT miss our TWENTY-FIFTH year. New plays and big big fun. Tickets available at the door!

07/15/2025

Megan Hart has been a Cherry Picking writer since 2013. She’s brought us shorts and one-acts that make us swoon. We are so glad she stopped by the CP blog to reminisce and re-ground for summer. Don’t miss a re-mount of Megan’s play The Water Is Wide at this year’s CP TONIGHT at the Wild Project. Tickets at the link in our bio.

07/12/2025

is joining us for year-two as an actor. Even cooler- we aren’t the only ones who turned 25 this year. Aliza stopped by the CP blog to chat and offer some wit, wisdom and whiskey. Check her out! And don’t miss Aliza on stage at this year’s CP for all three of our shows, July 14-16th. Lucky us!

07/10/2025

Catie Zambri Riggs has been a long-time lover of the pick and a writer in our 2023 festival. She’s BACK - now joining us onstage as an actor and we couldn’t be happier! Catie stopped by our blog. Our chat includes some sage advice for her 25-year old self (we second it!) and a good reminder of all the CP feels. Check out Catie on Monday, July 14. Get on our waitlist- you’ll be happy you did. 🍾

07/09/2025

Dan-Xia Bossard came to CP a few years ago as an actor ready to care for our scripts with the biggest heart. If you’ve caught her onstage you know she fills it with her generous spirit. Head to our blog for a Dan-Xia’s chat with CPHQ- and check out her summer emojis. Be sure to grab your spot for Wednesday, June 16 to catch Dan-Xia on stage at this year’s pick!

07/07/2025

first came to CP TWENTY YEARS AGO - in 2005. On our blog, he shares, “I was such a baby writer and had absolutely NO IDEA what I was doing and it was so nice that I was included in the show that year!” He’s written some of our most cherished contributions including a longer-form play, Harold and The Purple Crayon for our 2016 Punk Rock Kid Sister. In honor of our one-week away ‘til CP25, head to our blog and check out our chat with Bixby and then grab your spot for Tuesday, July 15 to catch his 2014, I Love You St. Petersburg! with at the one and only of course.

07/03/2025

Often referred to as the King of the Pick, is always bringing this summer soirée everything he’s got. This writer, actor, and self-proclaimed “goofball” has gifted us with scripts full of heart and humor-and performances that last a lifetime. This year is no different.
🍒🍒🍒
We’re celebrating this king… and that’s the only kind of king we love! Check out Kevin on our blog and be sure to grab your tickets for this year’s pick. ☀️

07/02/2025

Loonam! Loonam! Loonam! has been a picker since the earrrrrly days of cherries gone by. We love the annual email from an actor squealing, “I get to be in a Loonam play?!!” We get it. His work is an actor and audience delight, year after year. Which is why we’re so glad to bring back a play from the vault for this year’s pick and to celebrate this ultimate picker. Get on our waitlist for Monday, July 14 so you can catch John’s play, Survival, and then head to our blog to see what this good sir has to share.

Address

195 E 3rd St
New York, NY
10009

Website

http://www.cherrypicking.nyc/

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