The History of the New Play Project

The New Play Project was created to support and amplify emerging voices in theatre, providing playwrights with the resources and guidance needed to develop their work. When Chorus of Fools was founded in 2024, one of its goals was to foster new theatrical works and provide opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers.

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From Open Submissions to Mentorship

The New Play Project began as an open submission process in which playwrights from across the St. Louis area submitted their scripts for consideration. In its first year, Chorus of Fools received 20 new play submissions. From these, two plays were selected for full productions in our inaugural event, Twice Upon a Stage—marking a significant milestone in our commitment to new work.

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In addition to the two plays that were fully produced, two emerging playwrights were selected for mentorship, working closely with experienced theatre artists to develop their plays. This mentorship aspect became a defining feature of the program, offering a collaborative space for playwrights to refine their work through expert feedback, discussion, and rehearsal readings.

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Evolving to Create More Opportunities

Building on the success of its first year, Chorus of Fools has expanded the New Play Project into a dedicated mentorship program. Each year, two playwrights will be selected to work with seasoned mentors, guiding them through script revisions, dramaturgy, and staged readings to help shape their plays.

 

Now, instead of focusing solely on production, the New Play Project’s goal is to provide playwrights with the time, space, and support to develop their scripts in a meaningful way—giving them a platform to bring their stories to life in a staged reading before an audience. This structure allows for a deeper artistic exploration while ensuring that new voices continue to be heard and supported.

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Looking Ahead

As the New Play Project continues to grow, so does our commitment to developing fresh, bold, and diverse stories for the stage. We look forward to supporting more playwrights, expanding our mentorship opportunities, and bringing new works to audiences who are eager to experience the next wave of innovative theatre.

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Submissions for the next cycle are open now! Submit your script today!

 

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