At the Jasper Project we’re excited to announce that Jane Peterson will be directing our 2025 Play Right Series winning play, Busted Open by Ryan Stevens.
A Greenville native, Peterson studied theatre at the University of SC before working for the National Association of Campus Activities and ultimately serving as Communications Director for Columbia’s beloved Washington Street United Methodist Church. A community theatre veteran, Peterson has served as a Theatre Reviewer for Jasper Online for the past few years. The Director is in the process of casting up to 8 actors for the Ryan Stevens play now.
Jasper’s Play Right Series is a collaboration between area theatre artists and Jasper Community Producers—or theater aficionados, supporters and even newcomers. The project culminates with the staged reading of a brand-new South Carolina play. This year’s premiere staged reading of Busted Open will be performed for the public on Sunday September 14th at the Black Box Theatre at Columbia Music Festival Association.
Jasper Community Producers are audience members invested in the development process for new theatre and supportive of the state’s literary talent. In exchange for a modest financial contribution Jasper Community Producers are offered insider views of the steps and processes inherent in creating theatrical art by attending readings and rehearsals, and informative talks and presentations including conversations with the actors, director, playwright, stage manager, costumer, and sound and lighting designer. The result: Community Producers learn about the extensive process of producing a play and become invested personally in the production and success of the play and its cast and crew, thereby becoming diplomats of theatre arts. If you have a passion for knowing more, understanding process, inspiration, and impetus, and seeing how a virgin play goes from page to stage, you are a good candidate for becoming a Jasper Project Play Right Series Community Producer.
Jasper Project Play Right Series Winning SC Plays To Date
2025 - Busted Open by Ryan Stevens
2024 - Letting It Grow by Chad Henderson
2023 - Therapy by Lonetta Thompson
2022 - Moon Swallower by Colby Quick
2017 - Sharks and Other Lovers by Randall David Cook