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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

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
A Playwriting Masterclass
Monday 20 May 2024
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
Video
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Watch Me Work
A Playwriting Masterclass
Monday 13 May 2024
Creating Work in Series in the Anthropocene
Essay
Creating Work in Series in the Anthropocene
by Chantal Bilodeau
22 April 2024
Portrait of P. Carl.
A HowlRound Thanksgiving Retrospective Roundup
Essay

A HowlRound Thanksgiving Retrospective Roundup

23 November 2011

P.Carl, a founder of HowlRound highlights some quotes from articles published in the first year of HowlRound.

What a "Renegade" New Play Fanatic Can Bring to the Leadership of the TCG Board
Essay

What a "Renegade" New Play Fanatic Can Bring to the Leadership of the TCG Board

20 October 2011

As he becomes the President of the TCG Board of Directors, Philip Himberg shares his hopes for the impact and value new plays and playwrights can bring to America.

A man and a woman look at each other and read from a script.
Adventures in Cyberturgy
Essay

Adventures in Cyberturgy

14 September 2011

Playwright Anne García-Romero writes about the LoNyLa Writers Lab, which uses live video streaming to facilitate script development workshops for one play, in three cities.

It Must Have Been Easier for Joe Papp
Essay

It Must Have Been Easier for Joe Papp

12 September 2011

David Dower, the Co- Artistic Director of ArtsEmerson, wrestles with the role of being a producer for a new play.

Actors performing martial arts in a line.
But What's The Audience For?
Essay

But What's The Audience For?

4 September 2011

Composer and Sound Designer Robert Kaplowitz writes about the tendency in mainstream American theater to focus on servicing and clarifing one single idea.

The cover of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who.
The Horton Lens
Essay

The Horton Lens

28 August 2011

From Horton Hears a Who, Jeni Mahoney connects the world of Dr. Seuss' book to the theatre world, drawing a line from Jo-Jo and Whoville to playwrights and artists.

An illustration of cartoonish tan figures against a black background.
On Theatricality
Essay

On Theatricality

22 August 2011

Following up to a piece for the Brooklyn Rail on Gesamtkunstwerk, playwright Lydia Stryk contrasts the German practice with contemporary American theatricality and collaborative practices.

Portrait of Liz Engleman holding a boat paddle.
The Zen of Llamaturgy
Essay

The Zen of Llamaturgy

17 July 2011

Liz Engelman has turned to nature and the outdoors for inspiration and respite, finding joy and greater authenticity in her dramaturgical work.

a map of the National New Play Network.
Interview with Jason Loewith
Essay

Interview with Jason Loewith

8 July 2011

Dramaturg Margot Melcon interviews Jason Loewith about the new play development sector, and opportunities theatres can take advantage of.

The Peaceful Warrior
Essay

The Peaceful Warrior

What's Fabulous Got to Do with It

1 June 2011

The playwright James Still mueses on creativity, the role of the inner and outer creativity, and finding happiness in unlikely places in the journey of creating new work for his keynote adress at the Cohen New Works Festival at the University of Texas at Austin on March 28th, 2011.

Zombies Limping in Circles, or An Argument for a Taxonomy of NPD Technique
Essay

Zombies Limping in Circles, or An Argument for a Taxonomy of NPD Technique

1 May 2011

Aaron Carter and Erik Ramsey suggest a taxonomy for new play development techniques to serve as a reference for playwrights and developers to avoid the "zombification" of new plays.

A portrait of Josh Tobiessen
The Value of the Slow
Essay

The Value of the Slow

18 April 2011

"I was used to having a play produced every year and I assumed that the next production would come easily. I wasn’t expecting the lull that followed."

Interview with Ed Stern
Essay

Interview with Ed Stern

6 March 2011

Ed Stern, former Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, shares his experiences of curating new works and the reactions of the community; both good and bad.

Interview with Marc Masterson
Essay

Interview with Marc Masterson

21 February 2011

Peter Sinn Nachtrieb interviews Marc Masterson on his position as Artistic Director of the Actors Theater of Louisville and how to create a collaborative environment for new work.

The Skyline of Portland, Oregon.
Interview with David Dower
Essay

Interview with David Dower

13 February 2011

In this final installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, P. Carl interviews David Dower on the results of the convening, and his assertion that new plays are in a state of abundance, not scarcity.

Interview with Richard Montoya
Essay

Interview with Richard Montoya

11 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Richard Montoya of Culture Clash on the importance making marginal voices heard.

Interview with Derek Goldman
Essay

Interview with Derek Goldman

10 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Derek Goldman of Arena Stage on how the abundance in theatre is found in partnerships and collaborations.

Interview with Chip Walton
Essay

Interview with Chip Walton

8 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Chip Walton of Curious Theatre Company about the role of artists and audiences in relation to new works.

Interview with Alison Carey
Essay

Interview with Alison Carey

8 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, P. Carl interviews Alison Carey of Cornerstone Theater Company about how to open up the conversation about diversity and inclusion in the theatre.

Interview with Aimée Hayes
Essay

Interview with Aimée Hayes

7 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Aimée Hayes, the Producing Artistic Director of Southern Rep on her ideal theatre that is artistically fulfilling, monetarily successful and diverse.

Interview with Claudia Rankine
Essay

Interview with Claudia Rankine

7 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, P. Carl interviews poet Claudia Rankine on the negotiation of the contradiction that often arises between beauty and the truth.

Interview with Tory Bailey
Essay

Interview with Tory Bailey

6 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Tory Bailey of the Theatre Development Fund about the necessity of collaboration and communication between artist and theatre.

Three young actors in Santa hats posing around an adult actor
Interview with Karen Evans
Essay

Interview with Karen Evans

6 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, Anthony Werner interviews Karen L.B. Evans of the Black Women Playwrights' Group on the future and the intersection of technology and live theatre.

Performers on a stage, one singing into a microphone
From Scarcity to Abundance
Essay

From Scarcity to Abundance

A Truly Abundant Moment for the New Play Sector

5 February 2011

In this installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, P. Carl connects the abundance of new plays with the need to embrace diversity in the theatre.

One actor stands and counts money, another sits on the floor behind him
Interview with Martha Lavey
Essay

Interview with Martha Lavey

3 February 2011

Playwright Bruce Norris interviews Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, on how taste, talent, and bias influences her artistic descision-making.