The New Works Initiative (NWI) is an Artist-in-Residence program and developmental platform in the Department of Theatre and Dance in Montclair State University’s College of the Arts. NWI’s mission is to bring together established and emerging playwrights, composers, choreographers, theatre-makers, and professional directors with MSU theatre students to explore adventurous theatrical works.
The New Works Initiative is made possible through the generous support of Bob and Holly Gregory.
New Works Initiative 2017 -18:
World Premiere of a new commissioned play by Jeff Talbott
Directed by Wes Grantom
People got it together to write the Constitution, so why can’t two student action groups get a single sentence on paper to form a charter? Finding the right words can be the hardest thing in the world. Two stories. One story. Their story. Our story. A thorny comic drama about getting things started.
Department of Theatre and Dance
L. Howard Fox Theatre
- Wed, April 18 – 7:30 p.m.
- Thu, Apr 19 – 7:30 p.m.
- Fri, Apr 20 – 7:30 p.m.
- Sat, Apr 21 – 7:30 p.m.
- Sat, Apr 21 – 8:00 p.m.
- Sun, Apr 22 – 2:00 p.m.
Critics rave about Jeff Talbott’s recent premiere /i/ at the Pioneer Theatre:
“Talbott’s script is sharp and perceptive, savvy about the ways that technological advances inevitably come with consequences… While it might be unfair to say too much to a potential viewer about what “i” is about, it’s the kind of thought-provoking theater that’s exactly right for the kind of person who’s willing to turn themselves over to the artists.”
“Subtle and witty commentary on how the world interacts with technology and the possibilities and dangers of its evolution serve as an intriguing lead to the story, but the intense and emotional dialogue about the complexities of human relationships is what really connects the audience to her story and gives it meaning. Compelling…”i” offers a big truth for audiences to walk away with.”
“i” is a complete delight… Surprising for its originality and intriguing for its structure, “i” is deeply gratifying theater.”
“Gripping… “i” defies genre labeling and yet feels familiar; it is engaging and thought-provoking… The most moving, accurate and impassioned portrayal of absolute heartache that I have ever seen on a stage… It isn’t every day a new play makes you really consider some heavy and heady questions, and it’s even rare when questions are posed without an agenda. “i” asks a lot, but it never tells you what you should think or how you should feel.”
Jeff Talbott’s play The Submission was the inaugural recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Award and was produced off-Broadway by MCC Theater; it went on to receive the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for New American Play. The Gravedigger’s Lullaby received its world-premiere production in March 2017 off-Broadway with TACT at Theatre Row. Three Rules for the Dragon and A Public Education were both finalists for the O’Neill Playwrights Conference.
His plays (including i, Elliot, All the Stars in the Midnight Sky and How to Build a City) have received workshops and readings at MCC Theater, Premiere Stages, Chicago Shakespeare, Pioneer Theatre, TACT, Crowded Outlet and Route 66. He writes musicals with composer Will Van Dyke. Their work includes: Imagine Harry (NAMT Festival of New Musicals), Wintersong (Goodspeed’s Johnny Mercer Writers Colony) and the just-completed Seven Broken Hearts. They have released an EP (A View of the River) and a single (A New Year, recorded by Annaleigh Ashford), both available on iTunes or wherever digital music is sold. Jeff is a member of TACT and graduated with honors from the Yale School of Drama. www.jefftalbott.com
Wes Grantom (Director) is thrilled to develop brand new work with Jeff Talbott after collaborations on four of this other plays. Recent directing credits include Toxic Avenger by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro at Pittsburgh CLO, Lone Star Spirits by Josh Tobiessen with Crowded Outlet, Eager to Loseby Matthew-Lee Erlbach at Ars Nova, The Cloud by Matt Moses, The Steadfast by Mat Smart, Mine by Bekah Brunstetter for Slant Theatre Project.
Wes has a number of Broadway credits as resident and associate director, working alongside James Lapine, Emma Rice, John Rando, Anthony Page and Rufus Norris. He is a recipient of multiple Drama League Fellowships, a member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab, a graduate of the University of Evansville and the Artistic Director of Crowded Outlet, based in Queens.
NWI Submission Announcement:
2018/ 2019 NWI Artist-in-Residence: Seeking a playwright, theatre maker/deviser, composer/ lyricist or choreographer for a new full-length work in progress that has been partially developed but not yet fully produced. Potential commissions will also be considered. Artistic collaborators may apply as a team. NWI is particularly seeking stories and voices from under-represented communities in the theatre.
Fall 2018 Developmental Workshop culminating in a staged reading at a New York City theatre (two to four week rehearsal period).
Spring 2019 Full Production in the main stage department season, venue and budget appropriate for the demands of the piece (minimum four week rehearsal period).
Venues include:
- Alexander Kasser Theatre, a state of the art 500-seat proscenium theatre
- Memorial Auditorium, a 988-seat proscenium theatre
- L. Howard Fox Theatre, a flexible black box
Criteria:
- Preferable minimum of 10 performers
- Age appropriate roles for undergraduate actors
- Innovative form and content
Submissions of Complete or In-progress Works:
Submissions for Commissioned Works:
Civics and Humanities for Non-Majors
A new play by Jeff Talbott. Directed by Wes Grantom.
People got it together to write the Constitution, so why can’t two student action groups get a single sentence on paper to form a charter? Finding the right words can be the hardest thing in the world. Two stories. One story. Their story. Our story. A thorny comic drama about getting things started.
- New York Workshop Reading
- Tuesday, September 19, 2017
- Full Production
- L. Howard Fox Theatre
- Department of Theatre and Dance
- April 2018