In a city with a heartbeat that thrives on rhythm, storytelling, and soul, Memphis’s theatre scene is about to take center stage in a new way. Read to Relate, a community-led discussion series by Theatre Memphis, isn’t just an event — it’s a conversation in motion. Two evening gatherings this February will invite anyone with a love for stories to help decide which diverse plays deserve their spotlight on stage.

The evenings, called Sip and Scene and scheduled for February 1 and 15, 2026, will fill Theatre Memphis with dialogue, discussion, and discovery. Participants — no theatre degree required — will engage with eight powerful plays written by and about individuals from BIPOC, ALAANA, and differently abled communities. The goal? To connect, to listen, and to expand what we see represented in Memphis theatre.

A Stage for Every Story

Read to Relate began with a simple but bold idea: stories can be bridges. The initiative was designed by Theatre Memphis’s Department of Outreach and Education to amplify voices that have too often been kept at the margins of mainstream theatre. By highlighting playwrights who reflect a variety of lived experiences, the program invites Memphians to challenge assumptions and celebrate the fullness of our shared humanity.

“Theatre is about empathy,” said Debbie Litch, Executive Producer of Theatre Memphis. “When you share a room with others and witness different perspectives, it opens something in you — it makes community possible. With Read to Relate, we’re hoping to create more than an audience; we’re creating a conversation.”

After both February sessions, participants will vote on two standout works to be developed into fully staged readings in April. These readings, open to the public for a small donation, will offer an even larger audience the opportunity to experience these stories come alive under the stage lights.

A Night of Conversation and Connection

At Sip and Scene, expect more than a simple play discussion. Picture an evening of lively debate, snacks, laughter, and maybe even a few emotional moments as attendees explore the themes and messages of each piece. Theatre moderators and community leaders will help guide the conversation, ensuring everyone’s voice has space to be heard.

And for those worried about keeping up — don’t be. Participants aren’t required to read the plays in advance. Scripts are now available free of charge at the Theatre Memphis Box Office during regular hours, making it easier than ever for anyone to join in and be part of this creative exchange.

Registration for one or both discussion nights is open now through the Theatre Memphis website at theatrememphis.org/outreach-and-education/read-to-relate. Attendance is free — all you need to bring is your curiosity and your willingness to listen.

The Plays Driving the Dialogue

This year’s lineup features eight acclaimed and thought-provoking works:
Pipeline, Appropriate, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin, The Boys Next Door, The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea, The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years, Behind the Sheet, and The White Card.

Each play shines a light on identity, resilience, and the many ways culture shapes experience. From family legacies to social justice, these stories promise to challenge and inspire — pushing participants to reimagine what Memphis theatre can be.

The Future of Memphis Theatre

What makes Read to Relate powerful isn’t just the plays themselves, but the process of community participation. The program transforms the arts from something to be consumed into something co-created. Audience members become advocates, conversationalists, and collaborators in shaping a more inclusive creative landscape.

As Theatre Memphis continues its century-long legacy on Perkins Extended, Read to Relate stands as both a reflection and a reimagination of the theatre’s role in modern Memphis. It’s art meeting action — one discussion, one decision, and one shared story at a time.