People who have missed seeing live performances during the COVID-19 lockdown now have the opportunity to see some acting outdoors.

Hudson Theatre Works in Weehawken hasn’t had an indoor live production for nearly 18 months. Artistic director Frank Licato says that he has hopes for the future.

“This is exactly what we want to get back to,” he says.

Licato founded Hudson Theatre Works 10 years ago. It is located inside of a former school. The professional theater company turned the auditorium into a space to stage three plays a year. During the pandemic, the theater turned to the internet by streaming a series of monologues. Some of these monologues will be performed live and in-person for the first time this week.

“It’s alternatively very exciting and terrifying to put yourself out there again,” says Licato.

The first event will take place Thursday evening in Hamilton Park. Actors will perform several of the previously streamed works for free.

“It’s going to be a learning experience too, about how we then bring people back here and make them feel safe. But also how they actually respond to storytelling again,” Licato says.

The event has been dubbed “Play Slam.” Licato believes the power of storytelling will draw the audience not only to the park, but to sit around the stage once again when the theater reopens in October.

The live readings will take place Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.