Serious Development for New Plays & Musicals
CreateTheater helps playwrights and musical theatre writers move from idea to industry through professional training, script development, collaborative workshops, and industry presentation opportunities.
The CreateTheater Development Pathway
1. Learn the Industry
Learn how theatre actually works.
2. Structure the Script
Build a script that can sustain production and development.
3. Develop the Work
Workshop, test, and refine the piece collaboratively.
4. Present to the Industry
Create visibility and momentum for the work.
For Writers Ready to Move Beyond “Just Writing”
You may have:
a promising draft
a musical in progress,
years of rewrites,
great feedback but no traction,
or uncertainty about where your work fits professionally.
CreateTheater helps writers bridge the gap between creative work and professional development.
Programs
Learn the Industry
- Webinars
- Producer Office Hours
- Educational Content
- Newsletter
Structure the Script
- Script Diagnostics
- Development Consultations
- Writing Labs
Develop the Work
- Workshops
- Table Reads
- Experts Theater Company Development Programs
Produce the Work
- Readings
- Showcases
- Networking Opportunities
- Industry Presentation Events
Current Opportunities
Production-Ready Writers Groups
Looking for a professional community? Ongoing weekly and bi-weekly groups for writers developing new work.
CreateTheater New Works Festival Reading Series
Opportunities to hear new plays and musicals performed by professional actors. Is yours ready? Apply for 2027’s Festival
The CreateTheater Musical Writing Lab
How finished is your musical? Join our new 12-month Musical Theater Writing Intensive Cohort starting June 1st
The Experts Theater Company (ETC)
Membership · Mentorship · Access
The Experts Theater Company is the connective tissue of the CreateTheater pipeline.
It provides:
- Ongoing education and mentorship
- Community and accountability
- Access to higher-level development opportunities
Many writers begin here — and are invited forward into Labs, workshops, and the CreateTheater New Works Development Studio as their work becomes ready.
Upcoming Events
CreateTheater’s Musical Writing Lab
The Lab starts June 1st
CreateTheater’s NYC Producer Lab
Starts June 4th at 7pm ET
Recent Blog Posts
The Daily Draft: How to Avoid Getting Lost Rewriting the Same Scene
Ever find yourself “working on your show” for hours… only to realize you’ve just reworked the same five lines over and over again? Yeah, it happens to everyone. Rewriting is the very essence of writing—but if you do it too soon, it can also become a trap. You start...
Tips to Write Characters So Real They Practically Pay Rent
You’ve got a great premise. You’ve outlined a killer plot. But your characters? They’re… fine. They’re saying all the right things, but somehow, it’s just not clicking. It’s like they’re reading cue cards instead of living inside the world of your play or musical. And...
How Not to Lose Momentum in Writing Your Play
Staying productive between sparks of inspiration If you’ve ever stared at your script and had absolutely no idea of what to write, you’re not alone. You're only human. Inspiration is powerful, but fleeting. If you only write when the muse shows up, your show might...
Masta Ace Brings THE FALLING SEASON Musical Preview to The Green Room 42
Masta Ace Brings THE FALLING SEASON Musical Preview to The Green Room 42The Green Room 42 will present a special one-night-only concert performance of THE FALLING SEASON, a new hip-hop musical by internationally acclaimed rapper and storyteller Masta Ace, on Thursday,...