A weeklong celebration of new works is coming to Indianapolis in the form of PlayFest Indy. 

The New Harmony Project, in partnership with eight local professional theater companies, is hosting the first PlayFest Indy, which aims to highlight Indianapolis as a hub for playwrights to come create, develop and showcase new works. PlayFest Indy is set for Sept. 9-15 and will premier new works and readings of eight American playwrights in venues around downtown Indianapolis. 

“PlayFest Indy is an incredibly exciting initiative for The New Harmony Project, and I am thrilled to bring these eight innovative playwrights to Indianapolis to collaborate with our vibrant local theatre companies,” Jenni Werner, executive artistic director of New Harmony Project, said in a statement. “Plays start out as the spark of an idea in the mind of a writer, and audiences aren’t usually invited into the process of developing those ideas into what you see produced onstage. But that’s our invitation to you — join us to see a story no one’s ever seen before, and help the writers bring their plays to life.” 

PlayFest Indy officially kicks off with free, concert-style readings Sept. 13-15 in venues such as American Lives Theatre, Fonseca Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Naptown African American Theatre Collective, Phoenix Theatre and Storefront Theatre of Indianapolis and Summit Performance. 

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Following each reading, guests will be invited to stay for a post-performance discussion with the playwright 

However, earlier in the week, on Sept. 9-10, each PlayFest Indy writer and their teams will have a chance to start their creative journeys with a two-day retreat at the Athenaeum. During the retreat, playwrights, dramaturgs and directors will come together for in-depth script development workshops inspired by The New Harmony Project’s method of nurturing writers in a collaborative environment 

The workshops on Sept. 11-13 will instead focus on the actors, featuring rehearsals where they will learn to utilize local and national acting talent to bring the scripts to life. 

The festival concludes on Sept. 15 with a closing party at 9:30 p.m. where attendees and participants can reflect on the week while looking forward to the future play development in Indianapolis. 

All plays are free to attend, but reservations are strongly suggested. For more information about PlayFest Indy or to reserve tickets to any of the live readings, visit newharmonyproject.org/pfi. 

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.