The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s signature program, the National Playwrights Conference, begins its public staged readings Thursday on its Waterford campus.

More than 1,500 play applications were submitted to be considered for the conference, and eight were chosen. This marks the first time since 2019 that the NPC is back up to eight plays — and at a perfect time, since this summer season is the O’Neill’s 60th anniversary.

The plays, writers and public readings are:

“You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!” by Keiko Green, 8:15 p.m. June 20 and 7:15 p.m. June 22

“THE BLACKS Les Nègres de Jean Genet” translated by Chris Campbell, 8:15 p.m. June 21 and 2:15 p.m. June 23

“BLOOD PLAY” by Rachel Mars, 8;15 p.m. June 27 and 7:15 p.m. June 29

“Hurt People” by LaDarrion Williams, 8:15 p.m. June 28 and 2:15 p.m. June 30

“12 Chairs” By Jesse Jae Hoon, 8:15 p.m. July 4 and 7:15 p.m. July 6

“Horsegirl & Cowdaddy” by DJ Hills, 8:15 p.m. July 5 and 2:15 p.m. July 7 a

“Madre De Dios” by Marvin González De León, 8:15 p.m. July 11 and 7:15 p.m. July 13

“Bogdonoff” by Emma Horwitz, 8:15 p.m. July 12 and 14

National Playwrights Conference, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford; tickets are $33; theoneill.org.