The Second Best School Shooting
The Second Best School Shooting is a U.S. premiere dark comedy by Alice Stanley Jr., directed by Heather Lanza. The play follows two best friends who are trying to process surviving a school shooting while confronting the painful absurdity of grief after public attention has shifted to another tragedy. It explores friendship, loss, resilience, and the deeply human struggle to mourn when the wider world has already moved on.
When: September 17 through October 11, 2026
Venue: NextStop Theater
Tickets: Tickets are sold exclusively through NextStop Theatre’s Ovationtix ticketing platform. The event page warns audiences not to purchase tickets through any other platform. Price information is not available.
Playwright: Alice Stanley Jr. Her writing, described as combining sharp comedy with emotional urgency, includes work in film, television, podcasts, and theater. Her credits include writing and producing for *Say More*, an Amy Poehler-created podcast recognized by *The New York Times* as one of its best podcasts of 2023, as well as *Busy Tonight* and the feature film *Moxie*. She has also worked with companies including Mattel, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists.
Director: Heather Lanza, NextStop Theater’s Producing Artistic Director. Her work emphasizes developing new plays and creating original devised theater. Her productions and workshops have been presented at institutions and venues including Juilliard, HERE Arts Center, Epic Theater Ensemble, Keen Company, Waterwell, the New York International Fringe Festival, Virginia Children’s Theater, and others. Lanza co-founded Making it Happen Productions, which supports emerging artists using theater to encourage dialogue and social change. She holds a bachelor’s degree in directing from Fordham University and a master’s degree in applied theater from CUNY School of Professional Studies, and is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union.
Honorary Executive Producer: Adam McKay
Audience Advisory: The production includes discussions of gun violence and self-harm, as well as gunshot sound effects.
Showtimes: Specific performance times are not listed on the provided event page.
Run time: Not listed.
Ages: No age recommendation or restriction is listed.
Accessibility: No accessibility information is listed.