Northampton Community of College Theatre Department premieres a play about an adult drama class and Civic Theatre of Allentown continues its play-reading series.

“Circle Mirror Transformation” runs Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 in Lipkin Theatre on NCC’s Bethlehem Township campus.

The play reading of “14 Votes” is rescheduled to Feb. 4 in Civic’s Thetre514.

“Circle Mirror Transformation,” a play by Annie Baker, is set in drama classes at a community center in Vermont. It follows five adults in the center’s adult creative drama class as they navigate a series of acting exercises and, in the process, reveal their personal lives and vulnerabilities.

Marty (Laura Riker), an acting teacher, leads the class in improvisation and drama exercises at a Shirley, Vt., community center.

Signing up for the class are Schultz (Chris Tempel), a recently-divorced carpenter; Lauren (Maricel Wheatley), a socially-awkward high school junior; Theresa (Azelia Dos-Santos), a former actor, and Marty’s husband James (Nick Lopez).

Marty takes the students through various exercises, as they act like trees, beds and baseball gloves. In one exercise, they act as one another and tell their life stories.

As a possible romance begins, each slowly reveals themselves. In a final exercise, Lauren imagines herself meeting Schultz in 10 years, and they tell each other what has transpired.

The play explores themes of human connection, self-discovery and the transformative power of theater. The play is exemplified for its quiet, realistic dialogue, awkward silences, and focus on the subtle shifts in the characters’ lives over six weeks.

“Circle Mirror Transformation” opened Off-Broadway in 2009 and received the Obie Award for Best New American Play.

The play is directed by Darah Donaher.

Understudies are Maria Gambino and Jameelah Gonzalez. The 2 p.m. Jan. 31 performance will feature the understudy cast.

“Circle Mirror Transformation,” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29, 30; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31; 2 p.m. Feb. 1, Lipkin Theatre, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. 484-484-3412. https://www.northampton.edu/about/college-theatre/theatre-season/

Civic’s January play-reading series has a diverse lineup of new plays, ranging from farce to family drama to horror comedy to politically-charged conversation.

The final play reading is “14 Votes,” written by Allentown resident Susan E. Sneeringer and directed by Civic Theatre of Allentown Artistic Director William Sanders.

Set in the wake of the 2024 election, “14 Votes” explores the deep divides and deeper love in a family as a college student interviews her politically-active aunt for a class project.

What begins as a thoughtful discussion becomes a charged confrontation between generations and ideologies. With a major life change on the horizon, the aunt must confront what she’s willing to leave behind and what she may lose forever.

Performers are Patricia Birnbaum, Becky Engborg, Brooke Harsch and Patricia Welle.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will.

“14 Votes,” 7 p.m. Feb. 4, “January Play Reading Series,” Civic Theatre of Allentown Theatre514, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610-432-8943, https://civictheatre.com/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com