THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT INC

FROM MAY 21-JUNE 1, 2025, NHP HELD ITS ANNUAL WRITERS' RESIDENCY CONVENING 25 WRITERS AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS IN NEW HARMONY, INDIANA TO RESEARCH, WRITE, AND DEVELOP NEW SCRIPTS IN AN ENVIRONMENT INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO FOSTER CREATIVITY, REFLECTION, AND COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED AS 68% BIPOC, 60% LGBTQ+, 80% FEMALE OR TRANS/GENDER NON-CONFORMING, AND 4% PARENT ARTISTS. THE 2025 RESIDENCY ALSO INCLUDED TWO PRODUCTIONS IN RESIDENCE, FOCUSED ON PLAYS ALREADY SLATED FOR PRODUCTION BY PARTNER THEATRES. ONE OF THESE PROJECTS, THE WATERFALL BY PHANSIA PHAREL, DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THROWN STONE PRODUCTIONS IN CONNECTICUT, EXPLORES THE TENSIONS BETWEEN A HAITIAN-AMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER NAVIGATING GENERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS, CARE, AND CULTURAL IDENTITY. THE WATERFALL WILL RECEIVE A WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OFF-BROADWAY IN 2026, IN A CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN THROWN STONE PRODUCTIONS AND WP THEATRE. NHP ALSO SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMMY-NOMINATED MICHAEL SHAYAN'S NEW PLAY FOR MY NEXT TRICK. BY SUPPORTING WORKS LIKE THESE, THE NEW HARMONY PROJECT NOT ONLY HELPS PLAYWRIGHTS DEEPEN THEIR PRACTICE, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE NATIONAL PIPELINE OF NEW PLAYS THAT REFLECT THE FULL SPECTRUM OF LIVED EXPERIENCE. THE RESIDENCY BLENDS DRAMATURGICAL MEETINGS, COMMUNITY SALONS, AND BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL GATHERINGS TO SUPPORT THE FULL SPECTRUM OF THE ARTISTIC PROCESS. WE ALSO PROVIDE ONSITE WELLNESS SUPPORT THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CARE CONSULTANT AND OFFER INTENTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PARENT ARTISTS AND CAREGIVERS, INCLUDING COVERING ADDITIONAL COSTS, SO THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS CAN ENGAGE FULLY IN THEIR ARTISTIC PRACTICE.

PLAYFEST INDY (PFI) IS A WEEKLONG CELEBRATION OF NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT IN INDIANAPOLIS, COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL PROFESSIONAL THEATRES TO OFFER AUDIENCES A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT HOW NEW PLAYS ARE DEVELOPED. IN 2024, THE INAUGURAL YEAR, PFI EMPLOYED 82 ARTISTS AND PRESENTED NEW WORKS TO NEARLY 200 AUDIENCE MEMBERS OVER 7 DAYS FOR TOTAL OF 4,592 PROGRAM HOURS. THE FESTIVAL DEVELOPED THE WORK OF 8 PLAYWRIGHTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 8 INDIANAPOLIS-BASED THEATRE COMPANIES. AS A RESULT OF THIS FESTIVAL, LUCY THURBER, ONE OF THE 8 WRITERS IS CREATING A NEW PLAY FOR AN INDIANAPOLIS COMPANY. AND KEIKO GREEN'S WAD, WORKSHOPPED IN THIS FESTIVAL, IS RECEIVING A WORLD PREMEIRE PRODUCTION IN INDIANAPOLIS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025.