BRIAR PATCH Debuts Mainstage at Midtown International Theatre Festival

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William Carter's drama on race and cancel culture heads to the American Theatre of Actors complex.

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BRIAR PATCH, a new drama by William Carter , will receive a mainstage production as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival's return this summer.

The production arrives as MITF resumes operations after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Festival founder John Chatterton has partnered with Jay Michaels and Jessica Jennings to relaunch the event at the American Theatre of Actors complex, with programming running from June 15 through July 26.

Set in Eatonton, Georgia, BRIAR PATCH follows a local pastor who attempts to reconnect with his estranged son by organizing a community theater production about Joel Chandler Harris, the author best known for the Br'er Rabbit stories. As the project moves forward, it sparks debate throughout the town, raising questions about history, race, identity, and the ways communities engage with controversial figures from the past.

Carter, a lecturer of English at Kennesaw State University, first developed the play through a staged reading with student actors in March 2026. Following that presentation, the project moved to New York's Next Step Theatre Festival before being selected for a full production at MITF.

The company is expected to feature a combination of performers from the original Georgia reading and New York-based actors. Original cast member Nick Smith is currently attached to the production, with casting discussions underway for additional roles.

Before the festival run, BRIAR PATCH will receive an industry reading on June 9 at The Producers Club in Manhattan.

An industry reading of BRIAR PATCH will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at The Producers Club's Grand Theater, located at 358 West 44th Street in New York City.

The full production will be presented at the American Theatre of Actors, 314 West 54th Street, with performances scheduled for July 22 and 23 at 8:15 p.m. and July 26 at 6:15 p.m.

The production is part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival, which runs June 15 through July 26, 2026.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BRIAR-PATCH-to-Make-Mainstage-Debut-at-Midtown-International-Theatre-Festival-20260604)._