The 2026 PLAY LA NEW WORKS FESTIVAL

Celebrate the future of American storytelling at the 2026 PLAY LA New Works Festival, a biennial milestone that transforms the Greenway Court Theatre into a vibrant hub for artistic discovery. The vibe of the festival is one of intellectual curiosity and communal celebration—a sophisticated yet accessible “think-tank” for theater lovers, where the air is thick with the excitement of witnessing a play’s first breath. It is an invitation to go behind the scenes of the creative process and engage with the boldest voices in the Los Angeles theater scene.

This year’s lineup is a powerhouse of collaborative artistry, featuring world-premiere readings produced by some of the city’s most prestigious companies, including IAMA, The Odyssey, The Victory, InHouse, The Road, and Plays With People. The festival is anchored by a special showcase of work from 2026 Honoree Sheila Callaghan, alongside new commissions from rising stars like Louisa Hill and Matthew Scott Montgomery.

Beyond the scripts, the festival blossoms into a multi-sensory experience. Between readings, guests can drift into the Music & Poetry Corner to enjoy the soulful improvisations of jazz musician Alexander Andresen paired with the rhythmic energy of poets from LA Get Down. Thought-provoking symposiums on the intersection of art, AI, and economics round out the experience, making this not just a series of performances, but a comprehensive celebration of the human spirit’s role in modern culture.