Shenandoah Conservatory’s acting program will present selected readings from Women+ on the Edge of Democracy: A Collective Portrait of a Nation in Doubt and Transformation at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Hazel-Pruitt Armory, Collaboratory on Shenandoah University’s main campus in Winchester, Virginia. The free event will feature Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting students performing newly commissioned works by acclaimed women+ playwrights, followed by an audience discussion exploring the themes and questions raised by the readings.

Shenandoah Conservatory is one of 54 theatres and organizations across 30 states invited to participate in the nationwide initiative, organized by the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Featuring 36 new short works by women+ playwrights, the project brings together professional theatres, universities, libraries, community organizations and other gathering spaces to spark conversation and encourage a nationwide act of listening ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Sami Pyne ’17 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting) also plays a key role in the national initiative, serving as project manager and strategic thought partner for Women+ on the Edge of Democracy. A New York City-based independent producer and consultant, Pyne’s work spans contemporary performance, festivals, live events and public programs. Her recent projects include associate-producing a television broadcast of the NYC Pride March and producing 2nd Best Dance Company’s “Slumber” for its upcoming presentation at Lincoln Center.

Professor of Theatre Kirsten Trump, M.F.A., said Pyne reached out in July to invite Shenandoah Conservatory’s acting program to participate in the initiative.

“Yes, yes and again, yes!” said Trump, recalling her response to the invitation. “It is with great pride that I look at Sami’s accomplishments as a producer, and at this project, particularly, which is bringing a nationwide voice and conversation to the women’s experience in 2026.”

Through comedy and tragedy and perspectives spanning the political spectrum, the collection explores the current state of democracy in America and considers what history, global context and futurism might offer in a moment of national change and uncertainty.

Shenandoah’s Oct. 27 presentation will include “Common Ground” by Lauren Gunderson; “The Pardon” by Jane Anderson; “Pecking Order” by Elizabeth Diggs; “Demo Girl” by Rebecca Lenkiewicz; “And Where” by Susan Miller; “Reasonable Suspicion” by Lisa Loomer; “Night Light” by Kimber Lee; “GRWM” by Jenny Schwartz; and “What Would I Say” by Lindsay Ayvazian.

“We invite you to join us and to bring your own voice to this conversation following the performance on Oct. 27,” said Trump.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the free performance in the Hazel-Pruitt Armory, Collaboratory, located at 608 Millwood Ave. Visit conservatoryperforms.org to learn more. Contact Professor of Theatre Kirsten Trump, M.F.A., at ktrump@su.edu for more information.

About Sami Pyne

Sami Pyne ’17 (she/her) is a New York City-based independent producer and consultant whose work spans contemporary performance, festivals, live events and public programs. She currently serves as project manager and strategic thought partner for Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, a national initiative from the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize featuring 36 new short works by women+ playwrights. Her recent work includes associate-producing ABC7’s broadcast of the NYC Pride March and producing “Slumber” by 2nd Best Dance Company for its upcoming presentation at Lincoln Center. Previously, Pyne was producing director at ArKtype and producer of the Under the Radar Festival, where she helped lead the festival’s evolution into an independent, year-round, citywide platform working with more than 20 cultural partners. Pyne holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University School of the Arts.