Under the auspices of the McCarterLab, writers, composers, and directors develop new plays and musicals through commissions, workshops, readings, and other unique programs. Since 1990, McCarter has produced 48 new plays from leading and emerging American playwrights, including Edward Albee, Eric Bogosian, Steven Dietz, Christopher Durang, Beth Henley, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Theresa Rebeck, and Regina Taylor, among many others. Our multi-faceted, highly customizable approach has made us one of the foremost theaters in the nation for the development of new plays and musicals.

NEW PLAY AND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AT McCARTER

The Lab Festivals
These festivals of public readings, workshops, and small-scale productions build a bridge to emerging theater creators who work in innovative and collaborative new forms.

The Artists’ Retreat
The retreat brings an eclectic mix of playwrights, composers, directors, and other artists to Princeton for ten days of uninterrupted time to work, make new alliances, and recharge.

Commissions
Our commissions give some of the world’s finest playwrights the freedom and support to create some of their best work.

Readings and Workshops
These events afford playwrights an occasion to hear their work read aloud by professional actors.

The Production of New Plays and Musicals
The goal of all of our new play and artist development activities is the production of new work in our Theater Series.

 

Don’t want to miss the excitement?

Log In / Sign up for McCarter’s Email Club and be the first to know about all the public events in the McCarterLab. Be sure to check off “Play Readings/Workshops” as one of your interests.


The McCarterLab Festival!

Join us for our festival of readings and performances celebrating new and innovative theater. For a complete schedule, click here.

Sponsored by Munich Re America

Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting McCarter Theatre Center.

Play development at McCarter Theatre is sponsored by The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge foundation, Edgerton Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and Theatre Communications Group.