New Play Project

The New Play Project was a U.S. nonprofit organization founded in Provo, Utah, by Brigham Young University students James Goldberg, Arisael Rivera, Julie Saunders, and Jennefer Franklin in April 2006. Initially associated with Brigham Young University, it operated under the auspices of the BYU Experimental Theatre Group before becoming an independent entity in 2007.

Founding and History

The organization was established to provide a platform for emerging playwrights, particularly those within the Latter-day Saint community, to develop and produce their work without compromising their values. By 2007, New Play Project had separated from BYU and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Programs and Activities

New Play Project was known for its core programs:

• Playwright Workshops: These were weekly sessions where playwrights could submit their work for reading, discussion, and critique. This environment served as a learning space for writers and actors to explore and improve their craft.
• Themed Short Play Festivals: Approximately every ten weeks, NPP would produce a collection of short plays centered around a specific theme. Playwrights were given the opportunity to revise their scripts during rehearsals.
• Religious Plays Program: Twice a year, the organization accepted submissions of religious-themed plays, primarily from LDS playwrights, to provide a platform for expressing personal religious experiences.

Past Productions and Achievements

New Play Project produced more than 70 original plays and workshopped over 200 since its inception. Notable productions include Really Cool and Smart and Better Than You by Arisael Rivera, Swallow the Sun by Mahonri Stewart, and Little Happy Secrets by Melissa Leilani Larson.

Status

As of 2024, the New Play Project is no longer a functional organization.