During each PlayLabs Festival, three playwrights partner with teams of artistic collaborators for an extended workshop of exciting new plays. The festival also offers a showcase to our current fellows, giving them a chance to share excerpts of bold, brand-new work. 

We invite audiences into the development process through two in-person readings of each play and by making video recordings of the readings available online. PlayLabs has become a can’t-miss event for theater leaders in the Twin Cities and across the country—many of whom travel here for the occasion. The connections made at the PlayLabs Festival help move plays into production more quickly and begin valuable professional relationships for the playwrights we support. 

“I made more progress in two weeks at Playwrights’ Center than I had in six months. Being able to try things out with actors in real time, and make decisions collaboratively, made all the difference. Working with an intimacy director during the development process was really enlightening. I’m excited to continue to think about the design aspects of the piece.”

–Mathilde Dratwa on her PlayLabs workshop of Esther Perel Ruined My Life in April 2024