The Orchard Project

The Orchard Project Developing Innovation through the acceleration of the boldest theatre artists and companies. Now in residence in Saratoga Springs, NY

New musicals begin at The Orchard Project. ✨We are thrilled to invite you to our third annual Sound of Something New : a...
04/24/2026

New musicals begin at The Orchard Project. ✨

We are thrilled to invite you to our third annual Sound of Something New : a cabaret celebrating The Orchard Project’s contributions to the contemporary musical theatre landscape.

From 'Safety Not Guaranteed' and 'Basura' to 'Begin Again' and 'A Beat of Our Own' : The Orchard Project is where new musicals find their voice. Come hear what we’ve been working on: new songs and shows in development from across our ecosystem, featuring music by our incredible composer alumni.

📅 Sunday, May 10th
🕕 Doors 6PM | 🕖 Performances 7PM
📍 Don’t Tell Mama (343 W 46th St, NYC)

Tickets start at $25. Come join us, grab a drink, and enjoy the music of some truly exciting new composers. We can’t wait to see you there!

Link in bio for tickets. 🎟️

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Abs Wilson & Veronica Mansour. The 'Lighthouse' glow is real. Since developing their new musical in ou...
02/23/2026

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Abs Wilson & Veronica Mansour. The 'Lighthouse' glow is real. Since developing their new musical in our 2025 Lab, Abs and Veronica have been on a streak:

- 'Lighthouse' selected for the Lortel 121 Project.
- Veronica won the 2025 Fred Ebb Award.
-AND Abs just won a 2026 Jonathan Larson grant

Big things for this brilliant duo.

We are so proud to see 'Safety Not Guaranteed' heading into rehearsals at Signature Theatre. This is more than just a mu...
02/20/2026

We are so proud to see 'Safety Not Guaranteed' heading into rehearsals at Signature Theatre. This is more than just a musical: it’s a heartwarming, humorous, and high-energy indie-rock journey based on the beloved cult film.

The show follows Darius, an ambitious journalist who responds to a quirky classified ad seeking a companion for time travel. With an electrifying score by Ryan Miller (of Guster) and a book by Nick Blaemire, it’s a story about the leaps of faith we take and the connections we find along the way.

Take our word: This is a great, intimate musical bound to be a classic.

Don't miss out! Catch 'Safety Not Guaranteed' at Signature Theatre from March 3 – April 12.

Spring is looking bright for The Orchard Project shows and alums! The New York Times just dropped their spring theater p...
02/19/2026

Spring is looking bright for The Orchard Project shows and alums!

The New York Times just dropped their spring theater preview, and we are proud to see so many familiar stories and faces on the list.

Projects that have had funamental support from the OP are highlighted: the world premiere of BASURA (written by Gloria and Emily Estefan and Karen Zakarias, directed by Michael Greif) at Alliance Theatre and the foot-stomping EUGENE ONEGIN: A BLUEGRASS MUSICAL (created by OP alum Sarah Gancher and directed by alum Rachel Chavken) at TheatreSquared. Both of these shows spent time in our labs, and seeing them reach audiences this season is exactly why we do what we do.

A huge shout-out also goes to The Orchard Project alum and board member Robert Schenkkan for his new play RECON$TRUXION. Robert has been such a vital part of our community, and we can't wait to see this latest work come to life. Alums Dave Malloy, Taibi Magar, and Rachel Chavkin also have other pieces mentioned too.

So, whether you’re in Atlanta, Arkansas, or anywhere in between, make sure to add these to your must-watch list. It’s a big season for bold new work, and we couldn’t be happier for these incredible artists!

There is something uniquely vulnerable and powerful about a story that begins by looking the audience right in the eye.I...
02/10/2026

There is something uniquely vulnerable and powerful about a story that begins by looking the audience right in the eye.

In our latest blog post, "Looking Them in the Eye: The Art of the Direct Address Opening," we explore the mechanics and magic of breaking the fourth wall from the very first line. It’s a craft-focused look at how creators can forge an immediate, intimate connection with their audience, inviting them directly into the heart of the narrative.

At The Orchard Project, we love diving into the intentional choices that make a piece of work truly resonate. Whether you’re a playwright, a TV writer, or just a lover of bold storytelling, this piece offers some marvelous insights into how we invite people into our worlds.

Head to the link below to read the full feature on our Open Process blog.

https://orchardproject.com/2026/02/06/looking-them-in-the-eye-the-art-of-the-direct-address-opening/

“Keep the monster in the box as long as possible.” 📦This is one of our favorite Tiny Craft Tips overheard in the Orchard...
02/02/2026

“Keep the monster in the box as long as possible.” 📦

This is one of our favorite Tiny Craft Tips overheard in the Orchard Project labs this year. Whether you're writing a pilot, a play, or a narrative podcast, the instinct is often to show your hand early. We want to prove how scary, high-stakes, or complex the “monster” is right away.

True tension lives in the anticipation. By delaying the reveal: by keeping that lid closed just a little bit longer: you force your audience to use their own imagination. And usually, what they imagine is far more powerful than anything you can show them on page one.

It’s all about the pacing of the mystery. Give them the scratch at the wood, the rattle of the lock, and the shadow under the door first. Make them wait for the reveal, and the payoff will be ten times stronger.

How do you handle the “reveal” in your work? Are you a show-it-early writer or a slow-burn master? Let us know in the comments. ✨

A New York actor finds himself in Texas prison on a drug charge –after being recognized for his performance on One Life ...
02/02/2026

A New York actor finds himself in Texas prison on a drug charge –after being recognized for his performance on One Life to Live, he is offered protection by an inmate from the Texas A***n Brotherhood in exchange for acting lessons. You truly can’t make this $ #!@ up.

We are so proud to celebrate the upcoming NYC run of LOST IN DEL VALLE at Soho Playhouse! Written and performed by the marvelous Ned Van Zandt and directed by the brilliant Amir Arison, this extraordinary show has been part of The Orchard Project family since its development in our 2023 and 2025 Performance Labs.

It’s a bold piece of risk-taking storytelling, and we are thrilled to support this run as a production Produced in Association with the OP Opportunity Fund. Following an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Ned is bringing this "theatrical hurricane" home to New York.

📍 Soho Playhouse
🗓️ Special Previews: Feb–March 2026
🗓️ Limited Engagement: April 7 – May 3

Witness this incredible true story of s*x, drugs, and redemption. Grab tickets at the link in our bio or here: https://www.sohoplayhouse.com/see-a-show/lost-in-del-valle

Attention is a harvest, but stories are a currency. 📖We’re reframing how we look at the digital noise. It’s not just an ...
01/30/2026

Attention is a harvest, but stories are a currency. 📖

We’re reframing how we look at the digital noise. It’s not just an attention economy; it’s a Story Economy.

The art we make and support provides the moral and emotional references we all need to process current events and public discourse. From a Burns Night poem to a new play in development, these stories are essential for challenging and inspiring us during these wild times.

The most important takeaway? Participation isn’t optional. If you don't show up, you cede the opportunity to help society shape meaning.

Check out our full essay at the link in our bio.

We’re looking for our next partner-in-crime. The Orchard Project is hiring an Associate Producer to dive into the messy...
01/27/2026

We’re looking for our next partner-in-crime.

The Orchard Project is hiring an Associate Producer to dive into the messy, magical world of artistic development. From supporting out Performance Lab to stewarding our new OPportunity Fund, you’ll be a key creative collaborator in everything we do.

Hybrid work, Saratoga summers, and a front-row seat to the future of storytelling.

Link in bio to apply.

London, we’re coming back.We’re thrilled to be heading to the UK this April for the 2026 version of our exclusive London...
01/23/2026

London, we’re coming back.

We’re thrilled to be heading to the UK this April for the 2026 version of our exclusive London Theatre Tour, to see some amazing work, share what we’ve been brewing, and gather new sparks to bring home.

Throwing it back to last year’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: directed by the brilliant Jamie Lloyd: because this is the energy we’re carrying with us: joy, risk, and purple-confetti-level celebration.

If you want to join, visit our website at orchardproject.com/london.... If you’re in London and want to connect, drop us a note or say hi in the DMs. We’d love to see you.

Thrilled to see the Dunaway Gardens Foundation launching their inaugural Playwright Lab in Georgia this April. More labs...
01/22/2026

Thrilled to see the Dunaway Gardens Foundation launching their inaugural Playwright Lab in Georgia this April. More labs = more magic: more time, space, and community for writers to take big swings and let new work grow.

Huge congrats to Philip Himberg for leading the program, and to the inaugural cohort: Sarah Ruhl, Doug Wright, Michael R. Jackson, Mfoniso Udofia, Ricardo Perez Gonzalez, Madhuri Shekar, and Esperanza Rosales Balcárcel: plus dramaturg-in-residence Janice Paran.

Cheering you on from all of us at The Orchard Project. 🌿

If January deadlines have you spiraling: you’re not behind. You’re in it.A gentle reminder from The Orchard Project: you...
01/22/2026

If January deadlines have you spiraling: you’re not behind. You’re in it.

A gentle reminder from The Orchard Project: your job isn’t to be “ready,” it’s to keep showing up for the work, one clean paragraph, one honest page, one tiny edit at a time.

A few things that count as progress right now:
• making the outline messier (and clearer)
• writing the scene you’ve been avoiding
• cutting 200 words with kindness
• submitting even when it’s not perfect

And please: take care of the instrument.
Drink water. Eat something real. Step outside. Close the laptop for 20 minutes. Your nervous system deserves a deadline buddy, not a drill sergeant.

Whatever you’re building: play, pilot, musical, audio story: we remember: persistence is a creative skill. Keep going. We’re rooting for you.

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