As part of the Playhouse’s commitment to being a home for artists to develop new plays and musicals, Christopher Ashley created the DNA New Work Series in 2013.
Through the DNA Series, playwrights and directors are invited to use the Playhouse’s rehearsal space, staff and resources for several days (or weeks) of intensive work to develop their new project. The development process culminates in series of free, intimate readings and workshops open to Playhouse audiences.
For artists, the DNA process provides the space and support to let their vision and creativity flourish. For audiences, it’s a rare chance to see a new work in its earliest stages and provide feedback that helps artists shape its future development.
In this rewarding program, 12 shows have moved from a DNA rehearsal room to full productions at the Playhouse, such as Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar’s The Who & The What and Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown’s Miss You Like Hell – proving that new work is in our DNA.
Interested in DNA?
If you are an artist and would like your play or musical considered for the DNA New Work Series, please send us your work per our submission guidelines.
If you are a theatre-lover interested in attending DNA, the best way to reserve your free ticket is to become a subscriber. Due to the nature of the DNA projects, readings and workshops seats are very limited. Subscribers always get first access to book seats.
DNA New Work Series 2024:
Click Here to Learn More
Past DNA New Work Series Projects:
SUBURBAN BLACK GIRL
By Zakiya Young
Directed by Jacole Kitchen
HUMAN MUSEUM
By Miyoko Conley
Directed by Jesca Prudencio
McNEAL
Written and Directed by Ayad Akhtar
Subsequently produced by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
TO RED TENDONS
By Peter Kim George
Directed by Kat Yen
59 ACRES (WOW Work-in-Process)
Created by Marike Splint
In collaboration with Jonathan Snipes and Stewart Blackwood
SOUND PLACE LOVE (WOW Work-in-Process)
Created by Braden Abraham and Gordon Hempton
Based on recordings by Gordon Hempton, The Sound Tracker
Directed by Braden Abraham
THE LOYAL OPPOSITION
By Keith Bunin
Directed by Christopher Ashley
La Jolla Playhouse Commission
MANNY AND THE WISE QUEENS
By Idris Goodwin
Directed by Jacole Kitchen
La Jolla Playhouse Commission
DERECHO
By Noelle Viñas
Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
THE AGENCY
By Lia Romeo
Directed by Pesha Rudnick
SUMO
Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring
Directed by Ralph B. Peña
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
ALL THE MEN WHO’VE FRIGHTENED ME
Written by Noah Diaz
Directed by Kat Yen
La Jolla Playhouse commission
not-for-profit (or the equity, diversity and inclusion play)
Written by Francisca Da Silveira
Directed by Reginald L. Douglas
ONE-SHOT
Written by Andrew Rosendorf
Directed by Chip Miller
Airport
Written and Directed by Guillermo Calderón
La Jolla Playhouse commission
The Best We Could (a family tragedy)
By Emily Feldman
Directed by Kate Eminger
SLAM
Music and Lyrics by Mark Mothersbaugh and Kyle Jarrow
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Based on the novel by Nick Hornby
Skateboard movement by Tony Hawk
Directed by Sean Graney
Jean, Jonah and the Ginger Karl
By Jeff Augustin
Directed by Joshua Kahan Brody
Weatherman
Lyrics by David Clement
Music by David Clement with Rob Bailey
Book by Kate Moira Ryan and Doug Wright
Directed by Christopher Ashley
3 Farids
By Ramiz Monsef
Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh
The Luckiest
By Melissa Ross
Directed by Jaime Castañeda
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
The Coast Starlight
La Jolla Playhouse Commission
By Keith Bunin
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
MK-ULTRA
By Zayd Dohrn
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Selling Kabul
By Sylvia Khoury
Directed by Joanie Schultz
Subsequently produced by Williamstown Theatre Festival
Kill Local
By Mat Smart
Directed by Jackson Gay
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
Child of Colonialism
La Jolla Playhouse commission
By Rehana Lew Mirza
Directed by Jaime Castañeda
Miss You Like Hell
La Jolla Playhouse commission
Book and Lyrics by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Music and Lyrics by Erin McKeown
Directed by Lear deBessonet
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse, The Public Theater, American Repertory Theater / Company One, Fonseca Theatre, Olney Theatre Center and Park Square Theatre
Trinity
La Jolla Playhouse commission
By Daniel Beaty
Directed by Christopher Ashley
To the Quick
La Jolla Playhouse commission
By Kirsten Greenidge
Directed by Patricia McGregor
Safe at Home
By Gabriel Greene and Alex Levy
Directed Alex Levy
Subsequently produced by Mixed Blood Theatre
The Change Room
By Carly Mensch
Directed by Jaime Castañeda
Like They Magical
By Elizabeth Irwin
Directed Joshua Kahan Brody
El Huracán
By Charise Castro Smith
Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh
Subsequently produced by Yale Repertory Theatre
How to Be a Rock Critic
Based on the writings of Lester Bangs
By Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen
Directed by Jessica Blank
Subsequently produced by Center Theatre Group, ArtsEmerson, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Public Theater
The History of American Pornography
By Hilary Bettis
Directed by Kimberly Senior
The Engine of Our Ruin
By Jason Wells
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Subsequently produced at the Victory Theatre Center
Krik? Krac. Or the Last Tiger in Haiti
By Jeff Augustin
Directed Joshua Kahan Brody
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse and Berkeley Repertory Theatre (under the title “The Last Tiger in Haiti”)
What Happens Next
La Jolla Playhouse commission
In association with Cornerstone Theater Company
By Naomi Iizuka
Directed by Michael John Garcés
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
Kiss
By Guillermo Calderón
Directed by Jaime Castañeda
Subsequently produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Canadian Stage Company and ArtsEmerson
Akeelah and the Bee
In association with Children’s Theater Company
Adapted by Cheryl L. West
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
Subsequently produced by Children’s Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Virginia Repertory and Adventure Stage Chicago
Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin
By Michael Benjamin Washington
Directed by Phylicia Rashad
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory
Let Me Count the Ways
By Martín Zimmerman
Directed by Christopher Ashley
The Envelope
By Alex Lewin
Directed by Tom Dugdale
Higher
By Carey Perloff
Directed by Christopher Ashley
The Brothers Paranormal
By Prince Gomolvilas
Directed by Jeff Liu
Subsequently produced by Asian Repertory Theatre
Tranquil
By Andrew Rosendorf
Directed by Lucy Tiberghien
Subsequently produced by Luna Stage Company
The Smartest Girl in the World
By Miriam Gonzalez
Directed by José Cruz González
Subsequently produced by Childsplay and Imagination Stage
Chasing the Song
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse
The Tall Girls
By Meg Miroshnik
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
Subsequently produced by Alliance Theatre, Washington Ensemble Theatre, Luna Stage Company and Shattered Globe Theatre
Brahman/i, A One Hijra Stand-Up Comedy Show
By Aditi Brennan Kapil
Directed by Jeremy Cohen
Subsequently produced by Mixed Blood Theatre, Company One Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Crowded Fire Theater, Kitchen Theatre Company, About Face Theatre and 1st Stage
The Who & The What
By Ayad Akhtar
Directed by Kimberly Senior
Subsequently produced by La Jolla Playhouse, Lincoln Center/LCT3, Kansas City Rep, Victory Gardens, Round House Theatre, Huntington Theatre, ArtsWest, Milwaukee Rep and Vienna Theatre Project
Being Henrietta
By Monique Gaffney
Directed by Lucie Tiberghien
Orange Julius
By Basil Kreimendahl
Directed by Sarah Rasmussen
Subsequently produced by Moxie Theatre and Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre/Page 73
The Consultant
By Heidi Shreck
Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt
Subsequently produced by Long Wharf Theatre and Signal Ensemble Theatre
Daphne’s Dive
By Quiara Alegría Hudes
Directed by Dana Harrel
Subsequently produced by Signature Theatre
The Boy at the Edge of Everything
By Finegan Kruckemeyer
Directed by Jonathan Shmidt
Subsequently produced at a dozen theatres and colleges in the US and Australia
Photo credit: Joshua Torrez (left) and Luis Vega in the 2016 DNA reading of Safe at Home, Photo by Grace Madamba.
Get the latest news about the most exciting new shows in San Diego delivered to your inbox.
When you provide your cell, you will get useful reminders about your upcoming tickets, and very occasional texts about big announcements. Rates may apply.
