New Play Development

Director Erin Ortman loves musical theatre, new plays, theatre families, and William Ball’s idea of “positation” that celebrates the “yes” in artistic collaborations. The development process for One Thousand Nights and One Day produced by Prospect Theater Company in New York City provides a view of Ball’s philosophy in action.

Nate Eppler shares how Ingram New Works Lab in Tennessee is helping playwrights build a creative home that both feeds the soul and the stomach.

Artistic Director Kristin Marting discusses how developmental programs can better meet the needs of artists and shares best practices from HERE’s multi-year artist residency program in New York City.

Playwright Catherine Trieschmann lists useful suggestions for giving feedback on new plays.

On the twentieth anniversary of its founding, Nan Barnett reflects on the National New Play Network’s growth, and discusses the organization’s impact.

Jordan Schwartz, director of literary programs and outreach at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, discusses a project that originated at the Indiana Women’s Prison and culminated in a production in the neighborhood that was the setting of the story.

Asif Majid addresses some of the flaws in minority development programs and suggests some tips for how to improve such programs.

Playwright and actor Tim Collingwood reflects on the workshop production of his play Depth Perception, a piece based on his experiences with Aspergers, and why he thinks the theatre can be a safe space for people of all abilities.

DC based playwright Annalisa Dias interviews fellow The Welders collective member Deb Sivigny on the world premiere of her new play, Hello My Name Is....

Ethan Lipton returns to his artistic home at the Public Theater in New York City to play with toys, musical storytelling, and space travel.

Playwright Melinda Lopez and Charles Haugland discuss the ins and outs of the Huntington Theatre Company’s Playwriting Fellows program, and how it can serve as a model for other companies looking to fill a need in their communities. 

Huntington Theatre Playwright in Residence Melinda Lopez talks with Director of New Work Lisa Timmel about the company’s new play development program and practicing generosity.

In this second installment, Maggie Sulc interviews dramaturg Claudia Nolan about her experience with new play development in the Northeast region of the United States.

Laura Marriott explores Daniel Wade’s The Collector and Mark Richardson’s Anonymous, two recent productions in Dublin that explore contemporary social issues.

Team Awesome Robot wraps up their series on producing independent theatre in New York City.

In this final installment, Ricky Young-Howze reflects on self-producing new work in a “theatre desert,” and acknowledges the importance of learning, wisdom, and respect.

Holly Derr writes about Jacqueline E. Lawton’s new play at Arena Stage, part of their Power Plays commissioning initiative.

In this installment, Ricky Young-Howze discusses the importance of having archival footage of new work, which serves as a historical document.

Teresa A. Fisher discusses International Playwrights’ Intensive, a new play development program that facilitates international collaboration for theatre for young audiences. 

Peggy Wright-Cleveland on the FSU production of Seminar by Theresa Rebeck.