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.
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!
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
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!
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!
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
by Kate E. Ryan
directed by Anne Kauffman
original music by Mike Iveson
With David Brooks, Kate Hopkins, Birgit Huppuch, Ed Jewett, Lynne McCollough, and Mary Shultz
Sets by Jason Simms
Lights by Garin Marschall
Costumes by Olivera Gajic
Sound by Jessica Paz
In which old Dot and the weird kid from the neighborhood become friends. Set in that kind of Florida town that makes you wonder: is this tv, a book, or maybe even a cabaret?
June 6 – 12, 2010
by Samuel D. Hunter
directed by Davis McCallum
With Charlotte Booker, Crystal Finn, Barret O’Brien, Carmen M. Herlihy, and Edward James Hyland
Sets by Dane Laffrey
Lights by Russell H. Champa
Costumes by Jessica Trejos
Sound by Jill BC Du Boff
In which Katie is determined to finish writing that book – even though she didn’t start it. Lucky she’s got a new friend at the Fashion Bug to help since her in-laws are deluded, drunk and dog-obsessed.
June 13 – 19, 2010
by Anne Washburn
directed by Les Waters
original music by Dave Malloy
With Gideon Banner, Maria Dizzia, Matthew Maher, Dave Malloy, and Susie Pourfar
Sets by Louisa Thompson
Associate Set Designer Chris Morris
Lights by Jane Cox
Costumes by Kirche Leigh Zeile
Sound by Bray Poor
In which a man struggles to assemble a reality from his dreams, the dog very much wants to be taken for a walk, and the Natural Food store isn’t.
June 20 – 26, 2010
by Sheila Callaghan
directed by Kip Fagan
With Danny Mastrogiorgio, Rebecca Henderson, Gregory McFadden, Polly Lee and Alex Anfanger
Sets by Peter Ksander
Costumes by Jessica Pabst
Lights by Jeanette Oi-suk Yew
Sound by Bart Fasbender
Video by Shaun Irons & Lauren Petty
Sculpture Design by Jessica Scott
Props by Miranda King
A possibly rogue g-man stalks a stalled-out artist with a suspicious affinity for accident victims. Traps are set, traps are sprung, and everyone gets caught.
September 7 – 27, 2010
With Hoi Polloi, The Mad Ones, Polybe + Seats, Vampire Cowboys and The Woodshed Collective
We threw ingredients from this year’s plays at groups of artists and let them loose on the pillars.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010