Ashland New Plays Festival began in 1992, when a group of theatre enthusiasts came together and launched a unique collaboration among local theatres and playwrights. The objective was to present new works, giving audiences, actors, and playwrights a role in the evolution of a new play. The objective remains the same today. ANPF works with new and past Festival winners as well as invited playwrights, to come to Ashland and enjoy a fertile week of workshopping their play with world-class directors, actors, and artistic team members. Our enthusiastic audiences and dedicated volunteer readers make ANPF what it is: a unique community-based theatre organization. Our readings, talkbacks, playwriting workshops, podcast play recordings and conversations provide a rich theatrical experience for audiences and theatre artists alike.
Explore Our Events
Playwriting Retreats
A local Ashland retreat for emerging playwrights, with a focus on crafting scripts and community building.
Fall Festival
A celebratory week-long festival featuring public readings, talkbacks, a playwriting workshop, and more.
New Play Workshops
New play development intensives culminating in public readings and talkbacks
Inside ANPF
Become a Reader
We are currently accepting Reader applications for the 2027 Fall Festival. The deadline to apply is 10/18/2026.
Visit our Work with Us page here to learn more and to apply!
Support New Works
Donate today or become a Member of ANPF here and join a passionate community of theater lovers as we support playwrights and take part in the creative process of bringing new works to the stage.
Submit a Script
Playwrights, please note that submissions for the 2026 season have closed. Script submissions for the 2027 Festival will open September 10, 2025 and will remain open until we have reached 350 submissions.
Read our guidelines here.
ANPF Actors
ANPF is proud to showcase professional talent in our readings with artists from all over the nation. Auditions are held each summer for our annual Fall Festival.
Learn more here about working with ANPF as an actor.
Engaged Community
Community Feedback
I love new theatre and this is a tremendously vibrant festival.
What an inspiring experience to see a play in its developing form. Hearing the ideas and intentions expressed directly by the playwright adds another layer of insight and appreciation for the audience.
I didn't know what to expect walking into the play, but I was pleasantly surprised. The performances were incredible and I really connected to the story despite never having seen a play so early in development. I really enjoyed it!
Strong performances bring rich life to already exciting and well-crafted new plays.
Great theater is good words plus good actors. The rest is detail. You have it all.
Hearing artists speak on their art is fascinating. It's pleasurable to be part of artistic development.
Exceptional Talent
We love our community, and our community loves us!
See what folks think of ANPF below:
Audience Members Plan to Attend Future ANPF Events
Rated the Quality of our Readings with 4 and 5 Stars
Plan to Recommend ANPF to Others
Volunteer Readers Who Return Each Season
Thank You to Our Grantors
Thank You to Our Arts Partners
Thank You to Our Community Partners
