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
Write a Producible Play Webinar with Producer Patrick Blake
Sunday, May 30th 12 noon ET
CreateTheater’s Musical Writing Lab
The Lab starts June 1st
CreateTheater’s NYC Producer Lab
Starts June 4th at 7pm ET
Recent Blog Posts
What a Producer Looks For in a Script
What a Producer Looks For in a Script Most writers think producers are looking for “great writing.”They’re not. They’re looking for a show they can actually produce. There’s a painful truth most playwrights don’t hear early enough: A script can be brilliant—and still...
The World & the Want: Why Many Musicals Fail in the First 15 Minutes
The World & The Want: Why Many Musicals Fail in the First 15 Minutes Many musicals don’t fail in Act Two. They fail in the first 10–15 minutes. Not because the writers aren’t talented—but because the foundation isn’t clear. If your audience doesn’t understand the...
Stay True to Yourself
Stay True to Yourself (Or Watch Your Play Disappear) I’ve been telling our writers something over and over the past few weeks: Stay true to yourself. Yes, it sounds generic. It’s not. I mean it in a very specific way: knowing exactly where your play lands....
How to Beat the Feedback Freeze and Keep Moving Forward
What to Do With Notes When You’re Feeling Stuck You’ve just had a table reading and got feedback on your new musical or play. Oof. You sit through the conversation, scribble some notes. And suddenly, your brain goes silent. Everything you’ve done feels wrong. You...