National New Play Network
National New Play Network is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. NNPN envisions a robust, equitable, and inclusive new play ecology that reflects a broad range of aesthetics, and strives to pioneer, implement, and disseminate ideas and programs that revolutionize the way theaters and audiences encounter new work.
Since its founding in 1998, National New Play Network has grown into a vital force for new work in the American theater, serving over 130 Member Theaters as well as artists and audiences around the world.
NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays, initially presented in 2002, was the Network’s first program aimed at creating a new play pipeline that spanned the US. In 2004, NNPN launched the pilot of what has become its paradigm-shifting Rolling World Premiere program. As NNPN’s membership, funding, and programmatic offerings have grown, innovations including season-long Residencies within Member Theaters for rising administrative leaders, two annual Commissions, and a dedicated fund for theater-makers working to develop new plays across institutions emerged. The New Play Exchange®, launched in 2015, is the world’s largest online library of scripts by living writers, and features unprecedented opportunities for direct connection among playwrights, readers, and producers.
NNPN’s current Strategic Plan centers its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Network’s dedication to new plays remains the center of its work, but the future NNPN envisions is one that is robust, inclusive, and equitable for all theater-makers and audience members.
nnpn.org | newplayexchange.org