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New Play Development

New work is the future of theatre, and this is where you’ll find in-depth content about best practices for its development, as well as pieces about specific work. Consider starting with the essay “Rules of Engagement for New Play Development” and Notes to the Note-Givers; or, Embracing the Paradox.” For musings on the power of new work, watch the video of Todd London’s keynote for the 5th Annual ORIGINKC: NEW WORKS FESTIVAL or read the transcript.

The Latest

Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work
Podcast
Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work
by Jeffrey Mosser, Stewart Pringle
31 May 2023
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
A Playwriting Masterclass
Monday 26 June 2023
New York City
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
A Playwriting Masterclass
Monday 16 June 2023
New York City
Suzan-Lori Parks' Watch Me Work event poster.
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work

A Playwriting Masterclass

Monday 26 June 2023
New York City

Watch Me Work is a performance piece, a meditation on the artistic process, and an actual work session featuring Suzan-Lori Parks working on her newest writing project. Traditionally hosted on the mezzanine of the Public Theater Lobby, this version will bring the program to your home via Zoom sessions and HowlRound livestreams.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with adrienne dawes.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Adrienne Dawes
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Adrienne Dawes

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 22 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Watch Me Work event poster.
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work

A Playwriting Masterclass

Monday 16 June 2023
New York City

Watch Me Work is a performance piece, a meditation on the artistic process, and an actual work session featuring Suzan-Lori Parks working on her newest writing project. Traditionally hosted on the mezzanine of the Public Theater Lobby, this version will bring the program to your home via Zoom sessions and HowlRound livestreams.

event poster for Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak.
Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak
Video

Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak

Playwright Cris E. Blak Shares How his Dream of Writing and Premiering Sons of Liberty Became a Reality

Friday 16 June 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Cris Eli Blak is an emerging Black playwright whose work has garnered him recognition from The Negro Ensemble Company, Kairos Italy Theater, Austin Film Festival, Barrington Stage Company, TEDxBroadway, and Ignition Arts. Here he sits down to share how his dream of writing and premiering Sons of Liberty became a reality.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with reynaldo piniella.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Reynaldo Piniella
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Reynaldo Piniella

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 15 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

event poster for The Astronaut — Play by Lucia Mann.
A Performance of The Astronaut
Video

A Performance of The Astronaut

A Tender Exploration of a Parent-Child Relationship of a Czechoslovakian Refugee Who Fled During the 1968 Prague Spring

Thursday 8 June 2023
New York City

In The Astronaut, a father receives a visit from his son. Complications in their relationship quickly become clear: the son, who wears a full astronaut suit, never replies to his father. The Astronaut is a touching variation on a one-man show, with the father speaking a series of monologues to his silent son. This staged reading of The Astronaut is part of the Rehearsal for Truth Festival honoring Vaclav Havel and organized by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends with candido tirado.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Cándido Tirado
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Cándido Tirado

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 8 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

an actor on stage in performance of evelyn brown.
Conversation with the Original María Irene Fornés Design Team
Video

Conversation with the Original María Irene Fornés Design Team

Reuniting for the first ever revival of Evelyn Brown: (A Diary), Scenic Designer Donald Eastman, Costume Designer Gabriel Berry and Stage Manager Peter Littlefield discuss their long time collaboration with Fornés

Wednesday 7 June 2023
New York City

Dramaturg Gwendolyn Alker engages in a post-show conversation with Donald Eastman and Gabriel Berry—two members of María Irene Fornés’s design team—about the various shows they designed for Fornés, as well as their current work on the first-ever revival of Evelyn Brown (A Diary). Peter Littlefield, the stage manager for the original 1980 production, will also join.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Watch Me Work event poster.
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work

A Playwriting Masterclass

Monday 5 June 2023
New York City

Watch Me Work is a performance piece, a meditation on the artistic process, and an actual work session featuring Suzan-Lori Parks working on her newest writing project. Traditionally hosted on the mezzanine of the Public Theater Lobby, this version will bring the program to your home via Zoom sessions and HowlRound livestreams.

event poster for The Defiance of Dandelions Pre-show Talk.
The Defiance of Dandelions Pre-Show Talk
Video

The Defiance of Dandelions Pre-Show Talk

Featuring Playwright, Philana Imade Omorotionmwan, and an Invited Member from the Community

Friday 2 June 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

A pre-show discussion featuring playwright Philana Omorotionmwan and an invited member from the community cover important themes that are present during The Defiance of Dandelions.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with darrel alejandro holnes.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Darrel Alejandro Holnes
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Darrel Alejandro Holnes

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 1 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

From the Ground Up Podcast Teaser image featuring guest profile image.
Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work
Podcast

Opening the National Theatre’s Doors to Devised Work

31 May 2023

Stewart Pringle, senior dramaturg at the National Theatre, sheds light on the theatre’s Generate program. Jeffrey Mosser and Stewart discuss the problem with the term “literary department,” when to take a risk, and why it’s important that the big fish in the big pond makes the investment in smaller-scale ensemble-based companies.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with josefina baez.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Josefina Báez
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Josefina Báez

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the U.S.

Thursday 25 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Watch Me Work event poster.
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work

A Playwriting Masterclass

Monday 22 May 2023
New York City

Watch Me Work is a performance piece, a meditation on the artistic process, and an actual work session featuring Suzan-Lori Parks working on her newest writing project. Traditionally hosted on the mezzanine of the Public Theater Lobby, this version will bring the program to your home via Zoom sessions and HowlRound livestreams.

Event poster for Rachel Lynett.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Rachel Lynett
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Rachel Lynett

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 18 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Event poster for afrolatine superfriends with christin eve cato.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Christin Eve Cato
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Christin Eve Cato

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 11 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

From the Ground Up Podcast Teaser image featuring guest profile image.
Turning City Council Meetings into Performance
Podcast

Turning City Council Meetings into Performance

10 May 2023

Creatives and book authors Mallory Catlett and Aaron Landsman dig into their new book based on their piece City Council Meeting, an exciting performance, rooted in a commonplace bureaucratic event, that develops dynamic participatory relationships with audiences and local government.

portrait of Sasha Denisova sitting in theater seats.
Segal Talk with Sasha Denisova (Ukraine), Igor Golyak (US/Ukraine), Sara Stackhouse (US), and Irina Kruzhilina (US)
Video

Segal Talk with Sasha Denisova (Ukraine), Igor Golyak (US/Ukraine), Sara Stackhouse (US), and Irina Kruzhilina (US)

Discussing Their Production of Sasha Denisova’s The Gaaga (The Hague)

Monday 8 May 2023
New York City

Join us for a talk with award-winning Ukrainian playwright and director Sasha Denisova (Ukraine) and artistic director Igor Golyak (US/Ukraine) of Arlekin Players Theatre to discuss their production of Sasha’s The Gaaga (The Hague). Sasha has been living in Poland, where she has collected stories from refugees who have fled their homes due to the war, and traveled to interview many officials and everyday people in her quest to create a futuristic trail of Putin in the form of this new play.

Event poster for the 2023 pacific playwrights panel.
2023 Pacific Playwrights Panel
Video

2023 Pacific Playwrights Panel

Playwrights at the 2023 Pacific Playwrights Festival Discuss Inspiration Behind the Plays and the Development Process

Sunday 7 May 2023
United States

Join South Coast Repertory for the Playwrights Panel, part of the 2023 Pacific Playwrights Festival. Festival playwrights include Charlie Oh (Coleman ’72); Michael Shayan (avaaz); Anika Johnson, Britta Johnson, and Nick Green (Dr. Silver); Clarence Coo (Chapters of a Floating Life); Noa Gardner (The Staircase); Bleu Beckford-Burrell (Crasiss); and Eleanor Burgess (Galilee, 34).

event poster for Dare to Dream with Playwright, Philana Omorotionmwan.
Dare to Dream with Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan
Video

Dare to Dream with Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan

Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan Shares How her Dream of Premiering The Defiance of Dandelions Became a Reality

Friday 5 May 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Philana Imade Omorotionmwan is writing to save her body and spirit from a world that seems hell-bent on destroying them. She sits down to share how her dream of premiering The Defiance of Dandelions became a reality.

Event poster. Melissa DuPrey portrait.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Melissa DuPrey
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Melissa DuPrey

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 4 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Segal theatre center logo.
New Plays from the Caribbean
Video

New Plays from the Caribbean

With Stéphanie Bérard (France), Daniely Francisque (Martinique), Elvia Gutiérrez (Mexico, China), Gaël Octavia, and Others

Tuesday 2 May 2023
New York City

Join us for a conversation celebrating the unique anthology and latest Segal Center Publication, New Plays from the Caribbean, a most significant and lasting part of the 2019 Caribbean Theater Project ACT (Actions Caribéennes Théâtrales)—initiated and co-organized by the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center in New York City, the theatre company SIYAJ from Guadeloupe, and Stéphanie Bérard.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Watch Me Work event poster.
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work

A Playwriting Masterclass

Monday 1 May 2023
New York City

Watch Me Work is a performance piece, a meditation on the artistic process, and an actual work session featuring Suzan-Lori Parks working on her newest writing project. Traditionally hosted on the mezzanine of the Public Theater Lobby, this version will bring the program to your home via Zoom sessions and HowlRound livestreams.

Linda Chapman and Jim Nicola posing for photo.
Linda Chapman and Jim Nicola: Thirty Years at New York Theatre Workshop
Video

Linda Chapman and Jim Nicola: Thirty Years at New York Theatre Workshop

Joined by Jean Passanante and Patricia McGregor and moderated by Frank Hentschker

Thursday 27 April 2023
New York

Join us for an evening celebrating the work of Linda Chapman and James C. Nicola at the legendary New York Theatre Workshop. In their thirty-four-year run, Linda and James, at the 199-seat East Village theatre, gave birth to hundreds of important theatre works including Tony-winning best musicals Rent, Once, and Hadestown, as well as What the Constitution Means to Me and Slave Play.

Two performers embracing in the middle of the stage.
Black Southern Playwrights Take Center Stage
Essay

Black Southern Playwrights Take Center Stage

27 April 2023

Amelia Parenteau introduces the We Will Dream: New Works Festival, a festival showcasing new plays by Black playwrights originating from or working in the American South.