East/West PlayFest 2026

Welcome to East/West PlayFest

Eastbound Theatre, a division of the Milford Arts Council, once again partners with Westport Community Theatre for a program of original, short plays. 

The PlayFest is performed twice in Milford on the grounds of the Milford Historical Society,  and twice at the Westport Community Theater in Westport, CT.

Returning to the beautiful setting behind the Milford Historical Society, the PlayFest presents 5  juried original one-act plays selected from over 500 submissions across the country.

• The Milford Historical Society is open for tours between 1-4 PM, before the show begins, so please consider visiting before the show.
• You will need to bring your own chair/blanket.
• Parking is limited to side streets (Green St, High St, Helwig St) and Lisman Landing.
• No parking is allowed at the MHS; however, drop-off for patrons may take place.
• Please note that the plays take place outdoors, with a short walk behind the MHS’s three houses.
• Please consider enjoying dinner downtown after the show!
• In case of inclement weather, the Saturday, July 11th show will be cancelled; however, for bad weather on Sunday, the show will move into the MAC’s main theatre at 40 Railroad Avenue, Milford.

Maps –   Milford Historical Society         Westport Community Theater

Play Selections for 2026

The short plays selected for this year’s festival are:

• “The Cardboard Prophets” by Hannah Crothers of Saint John, New Brunswick-Canada, directed by Ann Baker of Milford. (Drama)
  Starring:  Mariah Young, Phil Hochman, Jamison Hoover and Martha Hegley
  Four friends reunite and deal with a common trauma from their past.

• “Spark of Life” by Ellen Abrams of New York, NY, directed by Mark Ferguson of Newtown. (Comedy)
  Starring: Denise Hubbard and Kristin Aug
  Two women meet for the first time at the funeral of their husband/lover.

• “Taken to School” by John Busser of Avon, OH, directed by Elayne Gordon of Norwalk. (Comedy)
  Starring: Lenny Carlucci and Jamison Hoover
  A career criminal tries to educate his son about the family business.

• “The Collegians” by Tim Lehnert of Cranston, RI, directed by Tom Rushen of Stratford. (Comedy)
  Starring: Adelaide Sutfin, Kierstin Jones and Mark Lambeck
  Two competing students face an interview for a prestigious college.

• “Memories, Lightly Used” by Greg A. Smith of Columbus, OH, directed by Erin Sullivan of Greenwich. (Drama)
  Starring: Jill Faulkner and Emily Carveth
  At a high-tech version of a yard sale, a woman rummages through her neighbor’s memories looking to make an offer.