I’m thrilled to be part of Cate Cammarata’s ETC!

Her dramaturgy is exceptional—thoughtful, erudite, grounded, and incredibly useful. Having worked with many dramaturgs, I can say her insights rank among the very best. The other members are very experienced and also provide valuable feedback. We’re all committed to improving our craft and moving toward submission or production, and Cate expertly guides us in the right direction with remarkable efficiency. It’s an inspiring creative community!

Alan Stewart

This experience has been truly incredible and invaluable to my musical’s development journey

I am so impressed with our SUNY cast, their work ethic and preparedness, and the way they truly embraced the material and helped bring it to life. I  will be forever grateful for everything that helped me to further the narrative and try thrilling new ideas. Under Cate Cammarata’s impeccable dramaturgical guidance, the show continued to deepen and grow, as I was encouraged to think about things differently, ask new questions, and try new directions while holding older ideas up to the light – scrutinizing, justifying, reshaping, and rewriting. My musical is in such an exciting place now, thanks to this wonderful residency, and I would highly recommend CreateTheater and ETC to any upcoming writer looking to strengthen their material, expand their network, and further their artistic career.”

 – Jessy Tomsko, writer of “In Emily’s Words”

Wow, what an opportunity! 

My experience with Cate as a dramaturg has only been a positive one and was key in transforming the development of the libretto placing it in a far, far better position than I could have ever have thought of or considered…and all the while over Zoom between New York and Australia! 

Wow, what an opportunity! Not only to present my own work and gain such valuable feedback, but to meet, network and have conversations with Broadway Producers and an Artistic Director in the room.  

Where else could you be to share a wonderful experience where producers can see and chat with you sharing their insights while you also get to promote your work and they see how you are as a creative and also a person? I am forever grateful for all of Cate’s and CreateTheater’s help.”

Michael Riggs
Book Writer, Composer, & Lyricist
estherthequeenmusical.com

Best kept secret

Cate Cammarata is the New York theater scene’s best kept secret for developing new plays and musicals.  Her years of dramaturgical work have allowed her to hone in on key insights in a writer’s work, making her able to see easily what a theatrical work needs in order to develop into its best self.  Also, her vast teaching experience has given her the rare skill of delivering her ideas to a variety of audiences.  She’s just the best!

Sam Negin

Cate and CreateTheater know how to develop a show

“Working with Cate Camarrata and CreateTheater has been an invaluable experience. Because of Cate and CreateTheater, I was able to realize my dream of having my play, Retraction, play off-Broadway at the CreateTheater New Works Festival in 2022. Not only was the play a success, it won awards for best play and best director.

Not only is Cate a great dramaturg and producer, but Cate and CreateTheater know how to develop a show, whether it is a play or a musical, and help take it to the next level of impact.”

David Gutierrez

The thrill of seeing one’s work produced

I know the thrill of seeing one’s work produced at the CreateTheater festival. For me, it was one of the highlights of my life to see Madame Curie come to life. All is well here. Take care. 

All my best, Dave Kurkowski

That seminar is GOLD

Thank you so much for last night, Cate. That seminar is GOLD. I’m spending a glorious day doing rewrites based on last night’s feedback. Please pass on my appreciation, and, if I’m not too late, sign me up for the next seminar, and the one after.

Wendy Bichel

Create Theater has provided me with supportive and knowledgeable mentors

I am so thankful to the committee for selecting Green: The Musical for this recognition and to Jonathan Cerullo, Colin Freeman and the entire cast and team who put this show together. I am equally grateful to Cate Cammarata and her vision and sponsorship of the New Works Festival and Create Theater overall.  Create Theater has provided me with supportive and knowledgeable mentors and colleagues who have challenged me to rework, rewrite and even rethink elements of my show, and they have also offered frequent and accessible opportunities to actually present elements of the musical and receive comments and critiques from a community of experts. I am excited to move forward even further to see where we can go with Green!

Kathryn Komsa Schmidt

Work with a dramaturg

One of the most effective ways to advance your career as a playwright is to work with a dramaturg. Once you’ve completed a first draft, it’s crucial to bring in an objective, experienced eye—someone who not only understands the mechanics of storytelling, but also has a deep grasp of theatrical structure, character arcs, dialogue rhythm, pacing, and emotional build.

A skilled dramaturg can help identify what’s working and what isn’t. They’ll tell you where to cut, where to expand, and how to shape the story so it truly resonates on stage. They’re not just editors—they’re collaborators who understand theatre from the inside out. Personally, I would never consider submitting a play without first putting it through a rigorous dramaturgical process.

Having an experienced dramaturg by my side has also expanded my network. Because they are respected within the theatre community, I’ve been introduced to producers and directors who are open to reading my work—and who now take me seriously as a writer with professional standards.

Most importantly, my dramaturg is committed to the integrity of the play itself. Their feedback isn’t about ego or control—it’s about elevating the work and ensuring it reaches its full potential. Having someone in your corner who cares that deeply about the story makes all the difference.

-Chris Sherman