Theatre Lab

The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab, the centerpiece of the Theatre Program, is a three-week play development retreat designed to support the creation of new work by playwrights, directors, composers and librettists, and to provide a place where that work can be effectively mentored and challenged. Operated under the umbrella of Sundance Institute, founded by Robert Redford, the Theatre Lab offers an independent-minded community for artists-both emerging and established -to engage with their work, ask questions, build text, and take risks.

Up to eight projects are selected annually through an open submission process from an applicant pool of several hundred artists. Each project is provided with the support of a dramaturg and a cast of professional actors. The Lab's unique day-on, day-off rehearsal structure affords each generative artist time to explore rewrites of his/her work without pressure of producing pages for rehearsals each day. The process culminates in a closed presentation of each work-in-progress for the Lab community followed by an intimate artist-led feedback session.

Important Dates

The 2013 submission deadline was November 15. Please check back next fall for submissions to be open again.

Acting Company

If you are an actor (Equity or non-Equity) and would like to be considered for the acting company during the Theatre Lab, you are invited to send your headshot and résumé to theatre@sundance.org or to:

Sundance Institute Theatre Program
ATTN: Actor Submission
180 Varick St
Suite 1330
New York, NY 10014

We will review all submissions with the Theatre Program casting directors. The Theatre Program holds Equity Principal Auditions once per year. Please refer to the Actors' Equity website for scheduling information.

Alumni of the Theatre Lab at the Sundance Resort

Lab alumni and projects include Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Appropriate, Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation, Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson's An Iliad, Taylor Mac's The Lily's Revenge, Tracey Scott Wilson’s The Good Negro, Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas' The Light in the Piazza, Lisa Kron's Well, Stew's Passing Strange, Byron Au Yong & Aaron Jafferis' Stuck Elevator, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, Moisés Kaufman's The Laramie Project, and Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife. Click here for a full list of Theatre Lab alumni.

FAQ

Click here to view frequently asked questions.

Special Thanks

Sundance Institute gratefully acknowledges the following organizations who have generously provided assistance in supporting the Theatre Program.

Apply

The application for the 2013 Theatre Lab is now closed. Applicants will be notified on or after April 15, 2013.