# Event Details - **Event Name**: CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 25 Jul, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Sat, 25 Jul, 2026 at 09:00 pm - **Event Description**: In a time where trad wives, "rapturetok," and mega churches dominate, "The Binding Retreat" questions the purpose of faith.About this EventAbout the Performance:The Binding Retreat is a Queer retelling of the parable of Abraham and Isaac. Set at a mega church’s Women’s retreat run by the devout Mary Helen, we follow undercover leftist writer Jude as they gather details about Mary Helen and her husband, the youth leader, whom is facing multiple sexual abuse allegations. Mal and Bethie, stepsisters with a tumultuous past, grapple with resentment and jealousy as they share their testimonies throughout the week. Ruth, a newly cancelled youtuber, is the last member of the discipleship. After a grave mistake on a mission trip, she attempts to make her artificial relationship with Christ well…less artificial. Through these trials, Jude and Mary Helen discover their attraction for each other, and Mal struggles with jealousy over Mary Helen and Ruth’s newfound closeness. As the retreat progresses, the spirit of the lord (or mob mentality) sets Mal into psychosis. She runs away and the disciples are left questioning her demise. All the while, Jude’s partner stops by to check on them after multiple unanswered texts, only to find their Bushwickian dyke partner turn seemingly Centrist. When Mal finally returns to give her testimony, she commits a remarkable act of violence, mirroring the binding of Isaac. While their fates settle, a final visitor arrives at the cabin. The play questions the purpose of faith, the phenomenon of modern evangelical Christianity, divine coincidences, and the weight of queerness in today’s world.Cast & CrewPlaywright: Olivia Billings*Director: Neeta ThadaniStage Manager: Sarah Jack*Stage Directions/ASM: Amalia ReyesJude: Olivia BillingsMal: Paige CummingsRuth: Danyel GeddieBethie: Shannon Helene BarnesThe Partner: Sushma SahaMary Helen: Lindsay Shiner*Member of Actors' Equity AssociationAbout the Lead Artists:Olivia Billings (they/them) is a Nonbinary playwright and AEA actor based in NYC. They are committed to discovering what is necessary, relevant, and validating for Queer readers today. The Curve of Your Spine is my Home was performed regionally at Playwright Local Cleveland, and The Biggest Flicker of All was awarded Best Film by Raise the Vibration Film Festival. As an actor, you may know them as Cinderella in Into the Woods (Short North Stage), Mary Wallace in Athena (Thrown Stone Theatre Co), or Angela in Natural Shocks (Journey Theatre Project). Keep up at OliviaBillings.org IG @oliviabillings.actorAbout the CWP Launchpad Reading SeriesThe CWP Launchpad Reading Series is produced as part of The Center at West Park's Center for New Work Development. CWP is excited to present this special, 10-work edition of the series as part of the 2026 CWP Evolution Festival. Launchpad works with playwrights and directors to curate a series of pay-what-you-can developmental readings of new work with access to rehearsal and presentation space, marketing and promotional support, technical and administrative assistance, and a curatorial stipend provided by CWP. Through the Launchpad Reading Series, CWP uplifts artists in all stages of their careers by creating accessible and inclusive performance opportunities showcasing diverse talents. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/new-york/cwp-launchpad-reading-series-the-binding-retreat-by-olivia-billings/100001991388429399 - **Event Categories**: art, theatre, festivals, entertainment, literary-art - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: all_ages - Duration: 2 hours - Location: St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: New York - **state**: NY - **country**: United States - **location**: St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church - **lat**: 40.78887599999999 - **long**: -73.97725849999999 - **full address**: St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 263 West 86th Street, New York, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/4bdad5c3030456f5ba6848e2436d52e7c9fc92847e5351670c628084af6a202a-rimg-w1200-h600-dc737c62-gmir.jpg?v=1781658632 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings being held? - **A:** CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings takes place on Sat, 25 Jul, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sat, 25 Jul, 2026 at 09:00 pm at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 263 West 86th Street, New York, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings? - **A:** CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings is organized by The Center at West Park. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in New York, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "CWP Launchpad Reading Series: "The Binding Retreat" by Olivia Billings", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/4bdad5c3030456f5ba6848e2436d52e7c9fc92847e5351670c628084af6a202a-rimg-w1200-h600-dc737c62-gmir.jpg?v=1781658632", "startDate": "2026-07-25", "endDate": "2026-07-25", "url": "https://allevents.in/new-york/cwp-launchpad-reading-series-the-binding-retreat-by-olivia-billings/100001991388429399", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "263 West 86th Street", "postalCode": "10024", "addressLocality": "New York", "addressRegion": "NY", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "40.78887599999999", "longitude": "-73.97725849999999" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "In a time where trad wives, \"rapturetok,\" and mega churches dominate, \"The Binding Retreat\" questions the purpose of faith.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-06", "availabilityEnds": "2026-07-25", "validFrom": "2026-09-06", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/new-york/cwp-launchpad-reading-series-the-binding-retreat-by-olivia-billings/100001991388429399" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-06", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-09-06", "url": "https://allevents.in/new-york/cwp-launchpad-reading-series-the-binding-retreat-by-olivia-billings/100001991388429399", "price": 0, "name": "RSVP" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Center at West Park", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/the-center-at-west-park/22506076", "description": "The Center at West Park is a home for arts, culture, and community in the landmark West Park Presbyterian Church on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. 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