Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President & Artistic Director; Lisa Lawer Post, Executive Director) has announced its first ever NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL, consisting of four distinct programs dedicated to supporting early career playwrights, which will take place this winter at Second Stage’s Tony Kiser (305 West 43rd st.) The festival will kick off on Jan 16th with The Nancy Denovan Musical Reading, a one-night-only reading of the new musical, INSIDE VOICES, by Ross Golan, directed by Michael Mayer. The Festival’s centerpiece production will bring present the World Premiere production of Kate Douglas’ play, THE APIARY, directed by Kate Whoriskey, running from Jan 31 to Feb 25 officially opening Feb 13. 22 years in the future, two lab assistants hatch a plan that could change the world. All they need are a few volunteers. The festival will also include The Judith Champion Reading Series, featuring three new plays developed over a week of rehearsal. Each play will receive a one-night-only presentation. The plays are D.A. Mindell’s ON THE EVOLUTIONARY FUNCTION OF SHAME, Sarah Mantell’s THE GOOD GUYS, and Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin’s TIGER BEAT.  Additionally, the work of the Lark Playwrights Workshop will continue under the auspices of Second Stage Theater – five playwrights will be mentored by established theater artists, including David Henry Hwang, Rajiv Joseph, and May Adrales.  The six private sessions that comprise this program occur every 2-3 weeks beginning Wednesday, January 17th and concluding on Tuesday, March 26th. Casting for all events, as well as directors for the plays in the Judith Champion Reading Series, will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit www.2ST.com. Press contact: Polk & Co (917/261-3988)...