The New Play Lab at the annual William Inge Theater Festival is accepting playwright
applicants to have their new scripts presented as readings as part of the William Inge
Theatre Festival April 17-19, 2025.
The New Play Lab is a partnership between the Kansas Arts Commission and the William
Inge Center for the Arts at Independence Community College, Independence, Kansas.
The 8th annual New Play Lab connects emerging playwrights with members of the national
and regional theatre Community during the 42nd annual William Inge Theatre Festival in
Independence, KS.
The selected New Play Lab playwrights receive:
- A professional staged reading of their play before an audience on the main stage of
- the William Inge Theatre
- Feedback on their play facilitated by national theatre professionals.
- Additional playwriting classes and seminars exclusive to New Play Lab participants,
- including a masterclass with William Inge Theater Festival guest playwrights.
- Networking opportunities to meet with theater professionals from across the country.
- Entry to all festival events, including two meal events.
- Meal vouchers to enjoy local restaurants in William Inge’s Hometown of Independence.
Kansas proudly celebrates William Inge, the Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award winning
playwright born and raised in Independence. The Festival was created to recognize William
Inge and his accomplishments while also celebrating contemporary living playwrights. Join
us as we continue to celebrate and honor playwrights of the American Theatre. National
playwrights and theatre professionals will come together for three days of play readings,
workshops and panel discussions, celebrating the world of theatre.
Application Period
August 20, 2024 – October 20, 2024. Applications are due no later than midnight
CST on October 20, 2024, with notification by Jan. 16, 2025. Note: the receipt of
applications will be limited to the first 150 to apply.
