National Playwrights Conference and More Set for Eugene O'Neill Theater Center 2026 Summer Season

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has unveiled its 2026 summer conference lineup. From June through August, the O’Neill’s conferences will serve as a hub for puppeteers, playwrights, composers, critics, and performers to develop and share the next generation of American theater.

The summer season officially kicks off with the 36th National Puppetry Conference, which annually brings together artists of all backgrounds to develop new work across a variety of puppetry styles. This year features experts in the field including Martin P. Robinson, Tim Lagasse, Liz Hara, Jim Kroupa, Lisa Buckley, Kurt Hunter, Alex & Olmsted, Rolling Puppet Alternative Theatre, and Alice Gottschalk.

The National Playwrights Conference will develop five exciting new plays: Possessed (or, "The Crazy African Girl" Play) by Gloria Majule, rachel, nevada by jose sebastian alberdi (NPC ‘23), Ms. Cleary's Last Supper by R. Forest Malley, Episodes by Kallan Dana, and The Last Nun at Lake Leaf Monastery by Mat Smart (NPC ‘02). These outstanding plays were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 1,655 scripts that were submitted in September 2025; after an intensive, months-long selection process, these chosen writers will develop their work alongside Artist-in-Residence and NPC alum Robert O’Hara (NPC ‘05, ’18, ‘19, ‘20). In the fall of 2026, the O’Neill will also host five additional writers for a five-day Writers Retreat, offering dramaturgical support and mentorship from conference leadership and O’Neill staff.

The National Music Theater Conference remains the country’s premier program for the development of new musicals, and will feature two dynamic new works chosen from a pool of over 420 submissions: Goblins & Gates: A Pen and Paper Musical Adventure (Book, Music & Lyrics by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña); and Mirror Image (Written by Laura Winters and JJ Warshaw).

The Cabaret & Performance Conference will conclude the summer season with ten nights of performances featuring guest artists—Bonnie Milligan, Phillip Officer, Natalie Douglas, Thomas Z. Shepard, Charles Busch, and Michael R. Jackson—and the talented Cabaret Fellows and Junior Fellows, who will spend the conference honing their skills under the tutelage of the conference’s staff and guest artists.

The O’Neill will once again welcome a talented group of arts critics and cultural journalists for the National Critics Institute. Throughout their time on campus, they will work alongside creative professionals at the O'Neill to gain insight into the specialized areas of arts and culture and examine arts journalism from various perspectives.

Summer offerings will also include free and pay-what-you-can events, starting with the Young Playwrights Festival on May 17th, featuring five short plays written by area middle and high school students. The National Theater Institute will also welcome 31 dedicated young writers, directors, and actors, to its Theatermakers Summer Intensive, who will present original plays, short films, and musicals every Monday evening for six weeks beginning on June 15.

Member pre-sale for the summer performances will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10am. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10am.

NATIONAL PUPPETRY CONFERENCE

Pam Arciero, Artistic Director
Jean Marie Keevins, Artistic Producer
June 12 & 13 - 7pm

“We invite you to join us this summer to share in the imaginative and creative work of our puppet artists from all over the world,” said National Puppetry Conference Artistic Director Pam Arciero. “We are proud to continue this tradition of puppeteers sharing, creating, and developing new ideas and voices for our audiences. We look forward to seeing you there to enjoy the world of puppet arts with us.”

Audiences are invited to two nights of performances on June 12 & 13 at 7pm. This year’s Masterclasses, which will be led by Lisa Buckley, Bart Roccoberton, Jr., Tim Lagasse, Martin P. Robinson, Bobbi Nidzgorski, Marsian De Lellis, Jim Kroupa, Kurt Hunter, Alice Gottschalk, Jean Marie Keevins, Pam Arciero, Rolling Puppet Alternative Theatre, Kalob Martinez, Alex & Olmsted, and Annett Matteo, will be available for on-demand viewing later in the year.

NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE

Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director

The National Playwrights Conference is excited to welcome five talented playwrights to the summer 2026 conference.

"I am thrilled to celebrate the next extraordinary cohort of writers who will be joining us this summer at the O’Neill,” said National Playwrights Conference Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. “Their artistry is boldly imaginative, theatrically expansive, and demonstrates a deep commitment to reminding us of our shared humanity with grace, joy, and ferocity."

Playwrights will partake in a week-long developmental process including two public performances of their plays and will remain in residence on the O’Neill’s campus throughout the entirety of the conference. In addition to working with professional creative teams, they will also receive mentorship and support from this year’s Artist-in-Residence, NPC alum Robert O’Hara (NPC ‘05, ’18, ‘19, ‘20). "As a testament to the power of the National Playwrights Conference, I’m thrilled that Robert O’Hara will be joining Gloria, Forest, sebastian, Kallan, and Mat as our Artist-in-Residence,” said Bensussen. “Robert is a theatrical force of nature and exemplifies the experimentation we encourage our writers to engage in every summer.”

Possessed (or, "The Crazy African Girl" Play) by Gloria Majule

June 17 - 7pm
June 21 - 3pm

rachel, nevada by jose sebastian alberdi

June 23 - 7pm
June 27 - 7pm

Ms. Cleary's Last Supper by R. Forest Malley

June 24 - 7pm
June 28 - 3pm

Episodes by Kallan Dana

June 30 - 7pm
July 4 - 7pm

The Last Nun at Lake Leaf Monastery by Mat Smart

July 1 - 7pm
July 5 - 3pm

NATIONAL MUSIC THEATER CONFERENCE

Alexander Gemignani, Artistic Director

From a pool of approximately 420 applications, the National Music Theater Conference has selected two musicals for developmental workshops. Each piece chosen for the summer conference will take part in two weeks of intensive rehearsal with industry-leading creative teams and will receive three public, script-in-hand readings.

“Each year, the National Music Theater Conference reminds me how expansive and alive the future of American musical theater truly is,” said Alexander Gemignani, Artistic Director. “This season we're proud to support two exciting new works, Goblins & Gates: A Pen and Paper Musical Adventure by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña, and Mirror Image by Laura Winters and JJ Warshaw. Though distinct in style and scope, both pieces are driven by a deep curiosity about identity, connection, and the worlds we build through imagination, ambition, and community. It is a privilege to welcome these artists to the O’Neill and to support their work as it continues to grow.”

Goblins & Gates: A Pen and Paper Musical Adventure

Book, Music & Lyrics by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña
July 10, 14 & 16 - 7pm

Mirror Image

Written by Laura Winters & JJ Warshaw
July 11, 15 & 17 - 7pm

CABARET & PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE

John McDaniel, Artistic Director
Jeremiah Downes, Program Director - Junior Cabaret Fellows

The Cabaret & Performance Conference, led by Grammy and Emmy Award winner John McDaniel, will take place July 22 through August 1 and conclude the summer season with ten nights of performances. Featured guest artists include Bonnie Milligan, Phillip Officer, Thomas Z. Shepard, Natalie Douglas, Charles Busch, and Michael R. Jackson. They will appear alongside the talented Cabaret Fellows and Junior Fellows, who will spend the conference honing their craft under the guidance of faculty and guest artists.

“Each season at the O'Neill, I strive to create a vibrant, diverse cabaret experience where rising voices and seasoned artists share the stage,” said Artistic Director John McDaniel. "We encourage performers to feel free to be fully themselves, because the most powerful storytelling comes from honesty and connection."

Opening Variety Show!

July 22 - 8pm

An Evening with Tony Award Winner Bonnie Milligan

July 23 - 8pm

Phillip Officer salutes Mabel Mercer

July 24 - 8pm

A Celebration of Thomas Z. Shepard

July 25 - 8pm

Natalie Douglas in To Nina...A Tribute to Nina Simone

July 26 - 8pm

Charles Busch in My Leading Ladies

July 28 - 8pm

The Junior Fellows in A Classic Broadway REMIX

July 29 - 8pm

2026 Junior Fellows: Zoë Dykas, Ayla Jolly-Ballantine, Kasen Orenstein, Alexa Checchi, Sophia Sherman, Liam Carolan-Simpson, Mirabelle Alpher, Ace Bairos, Phoebe Coffey

An Evening with the 2026 Fellows

July 30 - 8pm

2026 Cabaret Fellows: Ella Bato, Juwon Perry, Nicholas Harrison, Jaime Barcelon, Maitlen Suvari, Selma Elbalesy, Katherine Markle, and Mike Wilson

Michael R. Jackson in Covers and Uncovers

July 31 - 8pm

Farewell Variety Show

August 1 - 8pm

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

Sophia Chapadjiev, Director of Education

The Young Playwrights Festival, led by Director of Education Sophia Chapadjiev, provides an opportunity for a cohort of students to receive a rigorous exploration of their work guided by professional artists and a script-in-hand public reading of their new play. During this weekend, students spend time on the O’Neill campus with a dedicated creative team—director, dramaturg, and actors—to help them develop their short plays.

Simultaneously, honorable mention Guest Playwrights spend the weekend observing the development processes, attending playwriting workshops and rehearsals, and hearing their own scripts read aloud.

“This festival creates a space where young writers can take creative risks and see their work come to life. Their voices are fresh, urgent, and full of possibility,” said Chapadjiev.

The five Featured Playwrights whose scripts will be presented on Sunday, May 17 at 5pm are as follows:

The Art of Making Tea by Evelyn Cai; Groton School, 11th grade – Groton, MA
Saving the Evil Wizard by Marcus Lowy; Old Saybrook HS, 11th grade - Old Saybrook, CT
Interlude by Henry Nazarian; Clark Lane MS, 8th grade Waterford, CT
Neverland by Yune (Sophie) Park; Choate Rosemary Hall, 11th grade – Wallingford, CT
Variations on Easter Sunday by Julia Price; North Shore HS, 11th grade – Glen Head, NY

The 16 Guest Playwrights are: Agbakin Biaou, Sarah Froman, Caitlin Gilmore, Piper Harnois, Wyatt Krueger, Adelina Lee, Clare Lopez, Silver Montieth, Reese Naughton, Zoë Palazzo, Addison Parlier, Vera Ross, Callan Scott, Henry Steinhaus, Ella Taft, and Emma Wolff.

NATIONAL THEATER INSTITUTE’S THEATERMAKERS SUMMER INTENSIVE

Rachel Jett, Artistic Director

The Theatermakers Summer Intensive is a six-week program of training in acting, directing, and playwriting, where students create and perform original work while engaging with artists across the O’Neill’s summer conferences. Six free public performances will be held on Monday evenings at 7pm from June 15 through July 20.

“We are thrilled to be working with a cohort of theatermakers who come to us from all over the country and the world, at many different stages of their educational and artistic journey. The common denominator among all of our students is that they want to build a life in the theater. NTI is honored to be the place where these artists will collaborate, create, discover, and hone their considerable skills. We are so excited for all they will learn and experience at the O’Neill,” said Rachel Jett, Artistic Director of the National Theater Institute.

NATIONAL CRITICS INSTITUTE

Chris Jones, Director
Naveen Kumar, Associate Director

The National Critics Institute will welcome a cohort of arts critics and cultural journalists for an intensive two-week program from July 1 to July 11. Selected participants will take part in a rigorous workshop designed for writers of all experience levels seeking to strengthen their skills in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced industry. The program leverages the O’Neill’s community of artists and creative professionals to provide participants with insight into specialized areas of the arts, a deeper understanding of arts journalism from multiple perspectives, and firsthand exposure to the play development process, while strengthening their critical voice and analytical skills.

The Director of the National Critics Institute, Chris Jones, said, “The National Critics Institute is about sharpening how we see and how we write about the arts at a moment when thoughtful criticism matters more than ever. This program brings together emerging and established voices to deepen their practice, challenge their assumptions, and strengthen the role of criticism in the cultural conversation. We were once again overwhelmed by the number and quality of applications this year, which speaks to the continued urgency and relevance of critical arts writing.”

BEACH PARTY 2026

The O’Neill’s annual summer gala, Beach Party, will be held on July 18 on the campus Sunken Garden, set against the backdrop of Long Island Sound. This signature summer event will feature an evening of fine dining, entertainment, and a lively afterparty, all in support of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s mission to nurture the next generation of playwrights, performers, and theatrical innovators. For tickets and information, visit bit.ly/beachparty26

DEVELOPMENTAL RESIDENCIES

Driven by its mission to foster writer-led developmental opportunities that help artists sharpen their tools and strengthen their work, the O’Neill will host a series of additional projects in the coming fall months:

Jim Henson FOUNDATION PUPPETRY RESIDENCY

October 2 - 17, 2026

Entering its eleventh year, the Jim Henson Foundation Puppetry Residency at the O’Neill supports artists working toward the completion of new works of puppet theater. Typically spanning two weeks, the program offers puppeteers both a sanctuary and a laboratory with ample rehearsal space, housing, and full room and board for all participants.

Evan Silver aka Tiresias will join the O’Neill campus this fall to develop New Weird Future, a speculative eco-opera and multispecies puppet pageant that unfolds in fables and prophecies for a new era.

Applications undergo a rigorous review process by members of the Henson Foundation and the O’Neill’s artistic staff. Focused on the final phase of development, projects cultivated through this program have gone on to premiere at La MaMa, HERE Arts Center, 59E59 Theaters, Japan Society, and more. For more information, visit hensonfoundation.org.

NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE WRITERS RETREAT

The five selected plays and playwrights for the NPC Writers Retreat this fall are Mortals by J.C. Pankratz, Nazi Mind by Regan Moro, Flatbush Lysistrata by Lila Rachel Becker, Is Cry You Cry’n? by Dhari Noel, ĂN CHƠI by Carolina Đỗ. The playwrights will be mentored by Melia Bensussen and will spend five days in residence at the O’Neill.

“After receiving a staggering 1,655 scripts this season, we are elated to be able to support these five additional writers from our 2026 NPC Finalist List,” said Bensussen. “These playwrights were selected in recognition for their virtuosity and originality. Along with Robert O’Hara and our 2026 summer cohort, they too will be adding to a community of strong voices that remind us of the importance of the playwright in the American theater."

The goal of the NPC Writers Retreat is to broaden the O’Neill’s support of exceptional playwrights outside of the summer season. Taking place each fall, these 3-to-5 day retreats offer selected writers accommodation at the O’Neill’s seaside campus, dedicated time and space to write, travel to and from the O’Neill, three meals per day, conversation with Bensussen, and dramaturgical support from the O’Neill’s literary department.

MONTE CRISTO COTTAGE

Tours of the historic Monte Cristo Cottage, Eugene O’Neill’s childhood home in New London, Connecticut, will resume for the 2026 season beginning May 23 and continuing through October 24. The cottage will open to visitors from 11 am to 2 pm on the second and fourth Saturday of the month throughout the season, offering guests an opportunity to explore the early life and legacy of one of America’s most influential playwrights.

A suggested donation of $15 per person per tour helps support the preservation and ongoing programming of this historic site. Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve their tour time in advance online, as space is limited and tours may fill quickly.

Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.theoneill.org/mcc

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