New Play Development

Shelby (played by Karsen Green) and Mr. Smith (played by Patrick Fretwell) in John Proctor is the Villain

At Furman Theatre, we believe the future of theatre is written today. That’s why we’ve made new work development a cornerstone of our program. Students collaborate with emerging and established playwrights to bring brand-new scripts to life—often for the very first time.

Our process is guided by the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process (CRP), a nationally recognized framework that centers the artist’s voice while fostering thoughtful, constructive feedback. This ensures that each artist’s vision remains at the heart of the work while giving students invaluable opportunities to practice collaboration, inquiry, and interpretation.

We’re also proud to be a partner in The Farm Theater’s College Collaboration Project, which connects early-career professional playwrights with college theatre programs across the country. Through this initiative, Furman students not only develop new plays on campus but also contribute to a national conversation about the future of theatre-making.

From staged readings to fully produced premieres, Furman Theatre has championed new plays like Kappa Kappa Scream by Randall David Cook ’91, Screentime by Margaret Rose Caterisano, Our Tempest by Jake Brasch, and John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower. Many of these works go on to live beyond our campus—proof that Furman students aren’t just making theatre, they’re shaping its future.

Here, you don’t just study plays—you help create them.

Furman & The Farm Theater College Collaboration Project

How We Create New Work

New play/work development isn’t just a single event—it’s a process. Each step gives students the chance to collaborate with playwrights, faculty, and peers while building confidence in their own artistic voice. This cycle ensures that every voice in the room is valued, every idea has space to grow, and every student learns what it means to help shape the theatre of tomorrow.

Our process includes:

  • Ideation & Generation – Brainstorming and creating alongside playwrights & artists, exploring themes, stories, and characters that matter now.

  • Workshop – Testing ideas in the rehearsal room through devising, exercises, and scene work to discover what’s alive in the script.

  • Table Reads – Sharing new drafts in front of an audience, followed by guided feedback through the Critical Response Process, which centers the artist’s vision while inviting dialogue.

  • Production – Moving from page to stage with full design, direction, and performance, allowing students to bring a new play to life and audiences to experience it for the first time.

New Works In Process

Over the years, Furman Theatre has been home to the first steps of bold, imaginative new plays. Here are just a few of the works our students have helped bring to life for the very first time.

  • SPARTA by Seth Milton Jones ’25 (2025)
  • Screentime by Margaret Rose Caterisano (2024)
  • The True and Remarkable Adventures of Colonel Nathan Beverly Shirley by Jayce T. Tromsness (2024 reading)
  • Our Tempest by Jake Brasch (2023 with The Farm Theater)
  • New Works Festival (2021) – 9 short plays commissioned by Order of Furman Theatre
  • Exit 7 by Clare Beth McConnell ’21 (2021 workshop production)
  • There’s A Plot Afoot by Sharai Bohannon (2021 reading)
  • Death Before Decaf!! by Quinn Xavier Hernandez (2021 reading)
  • The Kingdom of Ghosts by Darcy Parker Bruce (2021 reading)
  • Ding Dong Merrily On High by Randall David Cook ’91 (2019)
  • John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower (2019 with The Farm Theater)
  • Muse by Cammi Stilwell ’20 (2019 workshop production)

Get Involved in New Work at Furman

Creating new theatre at Furman is a collaborative journey—and there are pathways for both students and professional playwrights.

For Students

Your path begins with an idea. Over a two-year process, you’ll:

  • Develop your concept in conversation with faculty mentors
  • Write a proposal and receive guided feedback
  • Draft, redraft, and refine your script with support
  • Participate in table reads and workshops with peers and faculty mentors
  • Move into rehearsal and production, where your play is brought to life on stage

From first spark to final performance, you’ll have the chance to grow not just as a writer, but as a collaborator and theatre-maker alongside faculty mentors who work with you every step of the way.

For Playwrights & Professionals

We regularly partner with professional writers through initiatives like The Farm Theater’s College Collaboration Project and our own new works development projects. Professional playwrights submit proposals to [email protected] and, if selected, work side-by-side with Furman faculty and students in a process that prioritizes both the artist’s vision and the educational experience of our students. The result? A unique, hands-on laboratory where everyone learns, experiments, and grows together.

For Donors

Our new play development program is made possible through the generosity of donors and sponsors who believe in the power of fresh stories and bold ideas. Their support helps us mentor young artists, collaborate with professional playwrights, and bring brand-new works to the stage. Learn more about how you can make a difference.