Exploring the Realities of Childbirth: Centenary Stage Company to Present “Breeders”

The intersection of medical experience and artistic expression often provides the clearest lens through which to view the complexities of healthcare. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Centenary Stage Company will present a free staged reading of Breeders, a comic play that delves into the chaotic and empowering journey of bringing new life into the world. Part of the Women Playwrights Series (WPS), this production offers a poignant look at the American childbirth experience.

What is “Breeders”?

Written by playwright and novelist Megan Campisi, Breeders (2022) is described as a “comic crucible.” The narrative follows six soon-to-be-parents who meet in a childbirth class, where they must confront their personal baggage, fears, and opinions regarding parenthood.

Beyond the comedy, the play serves as a social commentary on the “ridiculous circus of childbirth in America.” It specifically examines how the experience of giving birth is shaped by systemic factors, including:

• Race and gender
• Income and social class
• Sexuality

By highlighting these disparities, the play explores the life-changing empowerment of birth while critiquing the environmental and social pressures placed on new parents.

Event Details and Attendance

The staged reading is a cornerstone of the Women Playwrights Series, which provides a platform for the development of new perform and allows audiences to experience cutting-edge plays in their early stages.

Schedule and Location

• Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Sitnik Theatre, Centenary University campus
• Address: 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ

Admission Information

While the event is free, the Centenary Stage Company utilizes a donation-based system for seating. Reserved seating prior to the reading requires a donation, whereas seating available on the day of the performance is free. Donations are greatly appreciated to support the series.

Interested attendees can reserve seats via centenarystageco.org or by calling 908-979-0900.

About the Playwright: Megan Campisi

Megan Campisi is a Brooklyn-based playwright and novelist known for writing about women who break rules. Her work frequently blends historical fiction with her professional background in physical theater. Campisi currently serves as faculty at the Neighborhood Playhouse Conservatory of theater.

Her diverse portfolio includes:

• Peregrinations: A wordless play utilizing Larval Masks to explore displacement and immigration, appearing at The Tank (2025) and the Edinburgh Fringe (2026).
• Sin Eater: An alt-history mystery novel about an Elizabethan sin eater, which won the Debut Crown from the UK Historical Writers’ Association (Simon & Schuster 2020).

Critical Recognition

Breeders has garnered significant attention within the theatrical community. The play was a finalist for the Henley Rose Playwriting Award in 2023. It has been featured in the Athena Project’s “Read and Rant” series and had its initial reading at the Neighborhood Playhouse through the Red Door Readings Series.