New Works was conceived to provide emerging playwrights with the experience of being involved in a complete theatrical production; to explore and enjoy the process that gets them to Opening Night. And, crucially, to extend to them the full trust and permission to imaginatively engage in that work – to learn and play and experiment. Each play starts from a first draft, goes through a rigourous developmental process and various additional drafts, and eventually reaches the stage of a full production. 

New Works is a collaboration between dozens of creative and dedicated people: directors, playwrights, dramaturges, designers, stage managers, actors, technicians…And these individuals volunteer their time to be a part of this unique process and to share with an audience the culmination of their artistic journey. In some cases, the students are taking on roles they have never experienced before. 

The Festival, the six days of performances and the nine months of additional hard work leading up to them, is a true accomplishment for everyone involved.