Primary Trust

Austin Playhouse brings Primary Trust to its West Campus stage starting Friday, September 11, and it runs through October 4. The play is by Eboni Booth, who won the Pulitzer Prize for it in 2024, and it's become one of the most produced plays in the country. It's the Austin premiere, and it's part of the Playhouse's 27th season.

The story follows Kenneth, a man with a comfortable routine: a job he loves, his best friend Bert, and daily mai tais at Wally's. That all goes away when he becomes unemployed. At Bert's encouragement, he applies to be a teller at Primary Trust Bank, and as he thrives in the new job, he starts opening his heart to new people—only to find those new rhythms threaten his friendship with Bert. It's a play about friendship, resilience, and human connection, and it's the kind of story that stays with you after the curtain drops.

Associate Artistic Director Ben Wolfe directed the production. He's talked about feeling a deep kinship with Kenneth and sees the play as an antidote for when we're feeling overwhelmed by the world, the news, or life itself. The cast includes Robert Joseph as Kenneth, Vivian Noble as Corrina, Marc A. Pouhé as Bert, Huck Huckaby as Clay, and James Davery as Musician. The production is supported by KMFA and an Elevate Grant from Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.

Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets start at $38, with Pick-Your-Price Thursdays at $26 and half-price student tickets; there are group discounts for parties of 10 or more. You can find it at the Austin Playhouse West Campus, 405 W. 22nd Street, Austin, TX 78705.