PlayFest! History

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is dedicated to the development of new plays, one of our country's most enduring art forms. PlayFest! The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays is a nationally recognized program and represents one of the strongest commitments to new plays nationally.

Over the years, Orlando Shakes has helped nurture and develop over 100 new plays – many of which have received subsequent productions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

PlayFest: The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays is unique among New Play Festivals in two ways:

1. It focuses on the process of writing a play as well as concentrating on the finished product. PlayFest nurtures the playwright during the creative process while decisions are still being made about the play. Writers are afforded the opportunity to work with top directors and actors in Orlando and beyond to help them in their process from page to stage. The audience is then invited to experience the process of playwriting from staged readings to workshops to full production.
   
   
2. PlayFest partners with regional and national theater companies and new play development organizations like the National New Play Network, Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, Southern Rep in New Orleans, Florida Stage in West Palm Beach, Florida Studio in Sarasota, and New Theatre in Miami (just to name a few), providing audiences with the opportunity to see the work of many groups.

Due to the success of PlayFest, Central Florida is now identified as a place where exceptional new works are making their debut. We invite you to join us in ensuring the success of new plays and discovering the next classic American playwright!

PlayFest: It’s What’s Next!