The Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory is a three-week workshop which offers playwrights, directors, choreographers, composers, solo performers and ensembles, support to develop new plays and musicals or to explore new approaches to existing scripts.
The lab takes place in the mountains of Utah every summer.
To be considered for development at the Theatre Lab, projects must be received no later than Dec. 15, 2006. The 2007 Sundance Institute Theater Lab takes place July 9-29, 2007 at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. The application and guidelines are available online at www.sundance.org.
Through an open submissions process, the Sundance Institute Theatre Program selects up to eight original projects to participate in the Theatre Lab. Submissions are open to established or emerging playwrights, composers, directors, choreographers, as well as artists making a transition from areas outside of theatre.
Beyond the traditional text-based projects, musicals, solo performers, projects for young audiences, dance/theatre pieces and image-based works are also considered eligible for participation in the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab. Previous applicants may re-apply. Artists may submit only one application. "The annual Theatre Lab provides a protected environment, without the pressure of production, and an ensemble of professional actors, dramaturgs and mentors to help shape work," according to Sundance. "The process is tailored to the project's individual needs and stage of development, including readings, text analysis, blocking rehearsals, music rehearsals, meetings with artistic staff and private presentations to the assembled artistic community."
Under the artistic direction of Philip Himberg, the Theatre Lab provides rehearsal space, artistic guidance, stage management and accommodations for the collaborative team working on each of the projects. Theatre Lab artists are supported by a team of creative advisors comprised of resource directors, dramaturgs and other artists who provide feedback on the material and stage direction.
Past artistic staff includes Elissa Adams, Robert Blacker, Jocelyn Clarke, Gordon Davidson, Kim Euell, Zelda Fichandler, Shirley Fishman, Mame Hunt, Sydne Mahone, Emily Mann, Oliver Mayer, Des McAnuff, Marion McClinton, Jilly Morris, Marsha Norman, Sharon Ott, Molly Smith and Doug Wright.
Currently, no less than nine past Sundance projects are in production or pre-production, including Spring Awakening by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik on Broadway, Blue Door by Tanya Barfield at Playwrights Horizons and at Seattle Repertory Theatre; Grey Gardens by Doug Wright, Scott Frankel, Michael Korie on Broadway; Some Men by Terrence McNally at Second Stage Theatre Off-Broadway; Passing Strange by Stew at Berkeley Repertory Theater and The Public Theater; Ridiculous Fraud by Beth Henley at South Coast Repertory; Well by Lisa Kron at the Huntington Theatre in Boston; Crowns by Regina Taylor at the Clay Center in West Virginia; and The Light in the Piazza by Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel, on a national tour.
