Deadline: January 30, 2023
First 200 plays will be accepted
Full-length plays to be workshopped with a community of artists at James Madison
University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA 8/17/23 – 8/26/23. Looking for plays that respond to contemporary questions/issues in our world. Diverse perspectives and/or theatrical approaches welcome.
What is Madison New Works Laboratory?
Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is an incubator for the development of new plays. Each selected playwright is provided an opportunity to develop their work with a community of artists through conversations, rehearsals, and a festival of public readings. MNWL aspires to the following goals:
Develop new works by and for various ages, cultures, and populations
Foster theatrical innovation in the development process in an artist-friendly environment
Identify new work for eventual production in the JMU Mainstage and Studio Season
Support professional playwrights in the development of their work
Provide opportunities for JMU faculty, students and local artists to work with professional artists on new work
Play Selection:
Preference will be given to unpublished plays/works that are seeking development and accomplish the following:
Address contemporary issues, stories and questions
Include characters that are suitable for college-age actors for both the development process and potential production in our mainstage season
Include no more than 6 characters (If your work has more than 6 characters and can be accomplished with character doubling, the character doubling must be articulated in the script.)
Description of Residency:
$500 honorarium for each playwright selected
Round-trip transportation and housing for the playwright
Access to student performers selected through an audition process. (Maximum of 6 actors, may include double casting.)
First 200 plays will be accepted or until 1/30/23. Selected plays will be announced by 4/15/23.
Available resources include director, stage manager and supportive artistic staff.
Development and rehearsals will be held 8/17 – 8/26 (Arrival 8/16 and departure 8/27)
Public readings and Meet the Playwrights event will be held for the JMU and
Harrisonburg community 8/25-8/26
Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is housed in JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Forbes Center has multiple venues for presentation of works including a Concert Hall, Recital Hall, Studio Theatre, and Mainstage Theatre. Harrisonburg is situated in the Shenandoah Valley region of VA between Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington DC.
Process to upload your play:
Please upload your materials here: https://form.jotform.com/222694817588170
Full-length plays to be workshopped with a community of artists at James Madison
University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA 8/17/23 – 8/26/23. Looking for plays that respond to contemporary questions/issues in our world. Diverse perspectives and/or theatrical approaches welcome.
What is Madison New Works Laboratory?
Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is an incubator for the development of new plays. Each selected playwright is provided an opportunity to develop their work with a community of artists through conversations, rehearsals, and a festival of public readings. MNWL aspires to the following goals:
Develop new works by and for various ages, cultures, and populations
Foster theatrical innovation in the development process in an artist-friendly environment
Identify new work for eventual production in the JMU Mainstage and Studio Season
Support professional playwrights in the development of their work
Provide opportunities for JMU faculty, students and local artists to work with professional artists on new work
Play Selection:
Preference will be given to unpublished plays/works that are seeking development and accomplish the following:
Address contemporary issues, stories and questions
Include characters that are suitable for college-age actors for both the development process and potential production in our mainstage season
Include no more than 6 characters (If your work has more than 6 characters and can be accomplished with character doubling, the character doubling must be articulated in the script.)
Description of Residency:
$500 honorarium for each playwright selected
Round-trip transportation and housing for the playwright
Access to student performers selected through an audition process. (Maximum of 6 actors, may include double casting.)
First 200 plays will be accepted or until 1/30/23. Selected plays will be announced by 4/15/23.
Available resources include director, stage manager and supportive artistic staff.
Development and rehearsals will be held 8/17 – 8/26 (Arrival 8/16 and departure 8/27)
Public readings and Meet the Playwrights event will be held for the JMU and
Harrisonburg community 8/25-8/26
Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is housed in JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Forbes Center has multiple venues for presentation of works including a Concert Hall, Recital Hall, Studio Theatre, and Mainstage Theatre. Harrisonburg is situated in the Shenandoah Valley region of VA between Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington DC.
Process to upload your play:
Please upload your materials here: https://form.jotform.com/222694817588170
First 200 plays will be accepted and/or plays will be accepted until January 30, 2023. The two finalists will be announced by April 15, 2023. Please note the following when uploading your materials:
Please do not upload more than one play/work.
The following documents are required:
Cover letter introducing yourself and stating three specific objectives you have for a development process (250 word max)
Artist Bio (250 word max)
Play synopsis (250 word max)
A blind copy of a 10-page sample
A blind copy of a working draft of your play
Proof of rights (required for any material that is not your own)