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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
A black and white photo of five actors in Edwardian costume and their director.
Confessions, Contradictions, Beauty
Essay

Confessions, Contradictions, Beauty

25 January 2011

P. Carl reveals his personal journey with theatre through the lens of confessions, contradictions, and beauty.

event poster for AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour
Series

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour

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

A group of people posing for a photograph
Playwrights In Dialogue 
Series

Playwrights In Dialogue 

Conversations from the National Playwright Residency Program

In-depth conversations between playwrights in the National Playwright Residency Program. 

Where the Grass is Always Greener
Series

Where the Grass is Always Greener

This series explores the exciting new play development happening along the US/Canada border.

Team Awesome Robot producing series 
Series

Team Awesome Robot producing series 

Theatre company Team Awesome Robot documents their production timeline.

Submitting Like a Man
Series

Submitting Like a Man

The project examines what happens when a woman resubmits scripts to previously rejected opportunities, this time using a man’s name.

Triple Play
Series

Triple Play

A discussion on Triple Play, an initiative exploring what artists and administrators can do to entice casual ticket buyers to see more new plays.

NNPN Rolling World Premiere
Series

NNPN Rolling World Premiere

Weekly series of interviews examining the process of developing a new play through the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere as part of their Continued Life of New Plays Fund.

Playwriting Peer Review Series
Series

Playwriting Peer Review Series

This three-part series explores the “Why” behind one playwright project’s choice to utilize peer review for play selection, the “How” to implement it, and “What” the end result has been.

Art that reads Why Did You Come Here.
Reunion Series
Series

Reunion Series

A series on the process of producing I Came to Look for You on Tuesday by Chiori Miyagawa.

Twin Cities
Series

Twin Cities

A series featuring voices from in and around the Twin Cities' theatre communities.