What's Happening!

  • OUR NEXT OPEN APPLICATION COMMISSION IS NOW LIVE!

    Every year Clubbed Thumb invites playwrights to propose plays inspired by a particular prompt. The application is free and open to all; the anonymous proposals are read by a panel of theater artists. The winning proposal(s) receive (or split) a $15,000 award and development support. (Read more about our new approach to play submissions HERE.)

    This year, thanks to the gift of an anonymous sponsor, we are pleased to announce our next submission opportunity: Anthropology of the Workplace – a Margaret Mead Commission.

    READ MORE & SUBMIT HERE

  • THE FAMILY DOG WILL RETURN IN 2027!

    Summerworks 2026’s sold-out, hit production of THE FAMILY DOG by Bailey Williams, directed by Tara Ahmadinejad and starring the original cast will return for FOUR WEEKS ONLY, February 9 – March 6, 2027 at New York Theatre Workshop. Tickets will go on sale in a few weeks – sign up for our EBLAST to get updates, early access and special ticket deals!

  • THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR GALA A GREAT SUCCESS

    Thanks to everyone who joined us to honor Josh Silverman, and to everyone who contributed to make it a truly special night.

    It’s not too late to contribute to the Josh Silverman Fund! DONATE HERE

  • MEET OUR 26/27 GROUP COHORTS!

    A very warm welcome to the incoming writers and directors taking part in Clubbed Thumb’s Early-Career Writers’ Group and New Play Fellowship!

    Directors Cricket Brown, Marissa Joyce Stamps and Jillian Jetton will work on plays by Daniel Holzman, Aaron Ricciardi and Nikhil Mahapatra respectively – stay tuned for a Winterworks announcement.

    And we’re looking forward to getting to know Agyeiwaa Asante, Ida Cutler, Carlin Feck, Fiona Gorry-Hines, Salwa Meghjee, Derick Edgren Otero, Jacob K. Robinson and Amy B. Tiong in this year’s writers’ group!

  • THANK YOU FOR COMING TO SUMMERWORKS 2026

    Whether it was your first Summerworks or your 29th, we are so pleased you could join us. CLICK HERE for photos, essays and press from this season.

    We’ll be spending the summer incubating and planning for the fall, but we have lot of news to share, so watch this space!

  • OUR NEW ANTHOLOGY - ON SALE NOW

    We’ve been eager to put out a second anthology since Funny, Strange, Provocative was published in 2007, and the last year finally provided us with the time to take on this long-awaited project. We are thrilled to announce that Unusual Stories, Unusually Told, published by Bloomsbury/Methuen, is now available!

    In it you’ll find seven Clubbed Thumb plays that span 18 years of our history, as well as essays and interviews about the work, and the often atypical processes that led to their productions.

    Read more about the book and get your discounted copy (and our first anthology) HERE

SUMMERWORKS 2017

THE WORLD MY MAMA RAISED

written by Ariel Stess
directed by Kip Fagan

With Jordan Baum, Ben Beckley, Reyna de Courcy, Ethan Dubin, Zoë Geltman, Mike Iveson, Annie McNamara, Ronald Peet, Madeline Wise and Danny Wolohan

sets by Arnulfo Maldonado
costumes by Ásta Bennie Hostetter
lights by Eric Southern
sound by Palmer Hefferan
production stage manager Ilana Olken

Violet has a new frenemy with benefits. Henry is being released from prison with only his church clothes and some bus fare. Violet’s dad is learning how to read. And… the school day is nearly over, but it’s only 10 AM.

May 20 – May 30, 2017

OF GOVERNMENT

written by Agnes Borinsky
directed by Jeremy Bloom

with Emily Davis, Beth Dixon, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Beth Griffith, Mia Katigbak, Keilly McQuail, Melle Powers, Socorro Santiago and Stacey Yen

set by Carolyn Mraz
costumes by Heather McDevitt Barton
lights by Seth Reiser
sound by Leah Gelpe
composer Joe White
production stage manager Fatimah Amill

The adventures of Barb the Teacher, Deb the Seeker, Heidi the Helper, Tawny the Addict and a host of others. With songs! Presented by Miss Marjorie Blain, her students, and members of the community. Light refreshments will be provided.

June 5 – June 15, 2017

a co-production with True Love Productions

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION
MEANS TO ME

written by Heidi Schreck
directed by Oliver Butler

With Heidi Schreck, Danny Wolohan and Rosdely Ciprian

sets by Rachel Hauck
costumes by Michael Krass
lights by Jennifer Schriever
sound by Sinan Refik Zafar
production stage manager Ashley-Rose Galligan

It’s 1989 and Heidi is trying to earn enough money to go to college by giving speeches about the Constitution in American Legion Halls across the country. When she loses the first round to Becky Dobbins because her speech isn’t personal enough, she decides to go deep. Starting with her great great grandmother, a mail-order bride who died of “melancholia,” she traces the effects of a single sentence of the Ninth Amendment on generations of women in her family – and on the violent men they married.

June 21 – July 1, 2017

Plus free afternoon readings of plays by our Early-Career Writers’ Group:

Alexis Roblan, Angela Hanks, Dennis A. Allen II, Dominic Finocchiaro, Georgina Escobar
Jess Barbagallo, Nina Braddock and Paul Cameron Hardy

 

And kick-off Summerworks with a special event created by the group: Tue, May 16