Madison New Works Lab Call 2026

Call for New Plays

Madison New Works Lab

James Madison University

August 20-29, 2026

Seeking: Full-length plays to be workshopped with a community of artists including JMU faculty and students at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. Submissions should respond to contemporary questions/issues in our world. Diverse perspectives and/or theatrical approaches welcome. First 200 submissions will be accepted or until 1/16/26. Selected plays will be announced by 4/15/26.

Please note, though we do work on musicals in our development process, the 2026 season is looking for plays and not accepting musicals.

What is Madison New Works Laboratory?

Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is an incubator for the development of new plays and musicals. Each selected artist 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 student-artists to work with professional artists on new work

Description of Residency:

$1250 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.)
Available resources include director, stage manager, and supportive artistic staff.
Development and rehearsals will be held 8/20 – 8/26
Public readings will be held for the JMU and Harrisonburg community the weekend of 8/27-8/29

Play Selection: Preference will be given to unpublished plays/works that are seeking development and accomplish the following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.)

The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University believes that equity, access, and inclusion are moral imperatives and artistic obligations. Diversity—in the stories we represent, the students we serve, and the audiences we engage—is vital for the health and relevance of contemporary performing arts practice. The School of Theatre and Dance, therefore, welcomes diversity of perspective, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.

Any questions email lngrid De Sanctis desancie@jmu.edu

MNWL Director and JMU Theatre Professor, playwriting

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