Our Network
National New Play Network (NNPN) is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays.
NNPN continues to revolutionize the new play sector within the American theater through the collaborative efforts of its Member Theaters and nationally recognized programs that help theaters develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. Additionally, NNPN is home to the New Play Exchange, the largest digital library of scripts by living writings, a tool that has fundamentally changed the way that plays and playwrights connect with new play producers and lovers around the world.
NNPN envisions a robust, equitable new play ecology that centers a wide range of voices and aesthetics. With Member Theaters in more than 30 states reaching coast to coast, and more than 20,000 NPX subscribers, we know that great new theater happens everywhere.
MEMBER THEATERS
NNPN Member Theaters produce new plays in intimate storefront theaters and state-of-the-art performance centers. Their budgets range from less than $50,000 a year to more than $10 million. But regardless of resources, what unites these organizations is their belief in the power of playwrights creating stories of and for our time. They also know that we can accomplish more - as humans and organizations - working together than we ever could apart.
There are two tiers of organizational membership in NNPN: Core and Associate. Core Member Theaters make a significant commitment to the Network, beginning with a rigorous year-long application and vetting process, and concluding with approval by the existing Cores Member Theaters. To qualify for membership at this level, companies must be professional, not-for-profit organizations with a proven dedication to the development and production of new works. These theaters have a governance role within NNPN: in addition to voting on new Core Member Theater applications, they also elect NNPN’s Board of Directors and ratify any major changes to NNPN programs.
Associate Member Theaters must also be professional companies with a dedication to new work, though there are fewer restrictions on how that commitment appears on their stage. While Associate Member Theaters have access to many of the same programs and benefits of membership, they do not play an official governance role as a group, though individual representatives can serve on NNPN’s Board.
For more about eligibility requirements for membership, check out our Member Theaters page.
ARTISTS & AMBASSADORS
NNPN Affiliated Artists are alumni of our programs. Many Affiliated Artists are multi-hyphenate theater-makers, and/or have participated in multiple NNPN Programs.
The best way for an individual artist to get to know NNPN is by seeing which of our Member Theaters you may already have (or desire to have!) a relationship with and reach out to them about your interest in NNPN. Because we are a Member Service Organization, all artists first come to NNPN via a Member Theater.
We encourage individual artists to create an account on the New Play Exchange as a way to share your work widely, including with Member Theaters. However, please note that subscribing to NPX does not make an individual eligible for NNPN Programs.
NNPN Ambassadors are industry professionals and new play advocates who are dedicated to supporting and participating in NNPN’s efforts to create a vibrant, equitable new play ecology. They hail from across all eight of NNPN’s regions and serve as donors, cheerleaders, thought partners, and members of our Board of Directors.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
National New Play Network works with many organizations across the country to enhance our work and the work of others supporting the development and production of new plays - our Partner Organizations. We are proud to be associated with new play development companies, festivals, and artist, theater, and member service organizations in a variety of singular and ongoing projects designed to amplify the work of the Network, our Member Theaters, Affiliated Artists, and those working within the new play ecosystem.
DONORS & SUPPORTERS
The Donors and Supporters whose contributions help to power the Network’s work are an invaluable part of our team. We are grateful for the visionary partnership of these generous folks. If you would like to join their ranks and help make the robust, equitable, anti-racist new play ecology NNPN envisions a reality, you can become an NNPN Donor today.
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