Rolling World Premiere
NNPN’s flagship initiative, the Rolling World Premiere (RWP), models a process for developing and producing new plays - one that centers development through production, incentivizes collaboration, and builds momentum for a play’s future life.
Each Rolling World Premiere supports collaborative partnerships between three or four NNPN Member Theaters and a playwright as they work together over an 18-month period to develop and produce three separate and distinct productions of a previously unproduced play. NNPN provides funds and facilitation for all parties; the Member Theaters share resources and learnings, and the playwright is integral to the process throughout: working on the script, collaborating with each of the three productions, and making adjustments in response to the learnings of the RWP. NNPN has championed the Rolling World Premieres of over one hundred new plays with over one million dollars in financial support.
RWP alumni plays have gone on to acclaim and success around the world. Eligible Rolling World Premiere scripts are pitched by a committed NNPN Member Theater and circulated within the Membership to attract additional Partner Theaters. RWP collaborations are put together through active matchmaking by Member Theaters, the playwright, and NNPN Staff.
Upcoming Rolling World Premieres
See a production at a Member Theater near you! Please note that Rolling World Premiere dates are subject to change; check the theater’s website for the most current information.
Current and approaching productions as of November 6, 2025:
Oak by Terry Guest, at Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, October 24 – November 15
Dog Mom by Tate Hanyok, at B Street Theatre in Sacramento, November 5 – 30
The Wash by Kelundra Smith, Perceptions Theatre & Prop Thtr, Chicago, November 1 – 30
The Happiness Gym by Ken Weitzman, at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis, November 6 – December 5
Advice by Brent Askari, at Florida Rep in Fort Myers, December 9, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Bad Books by Sharyn Rothstein, at Curious Theatre Company in Denver, January 10 - February 1
Have questions about NNPN’s Rolling World Premiere program? Please e-mail our Programs Team at programs@nnpn.org.
The David Goldman Fund for New American Plays celebrates the continued legacy of NNPN’s founder and supports the continued growth of the Rolling World Premiere program. Each year, the Fund sponsors one Rolling World Premiere to receive this recognition.