IAMA Emerging Playwrights Lab
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026-27 LAB ARE NOW OPEN!
The Bottoming Process (2023) with Rick Cosnett and George Salazar. Photo by Jeff Lorch.
What is the lab?
The IAMA EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS LAB is an artistic home for early-career and emerging Los Angeles-based playwrights. Over the course of this one-year residency, the writers will meet on a monthly basis, to share and develop a new full-length play in a peer-guided format. Members of the Lab will also be given dramaturgical support from the Artistic and Literary staff at IAMA, as well as a ticket to each of IAMA's mainstage productions. The Lab will culminate in readings of each member's full length plays in a potentially public format in the summer of 2027.
Submissions
Submissions for the 2026-27 Lab are OPEN! Deadline to submit is July 31, 2026. Please see below for detailed submission instructions.
Questions? Email Program Director Nicholas Pilapil at emerginglab@iamatheatre.com.
Submissions
A one-page project proposal. Including the description of the plot and style of the play you’d like to work on and why you would benefit from taking part in the IAMA Emerging Playwrights Lab.
A resume or CV of relevant playwriting/writing experience (do not submit an acting resume.)
A 10-page writing sample of your choice.
Writers of all writing styles, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and ages are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
Must be based in Los Angeles full time and be able to meet in-person on a monthly basis between September 2026 and July 2027.
Cannot be a full-time student or be enrolled in any academic playwriting course at any point during the duration of the Lab.
Must not have had more than one production of any full-length play produced commercially or on a LORT contract.
Meetings
The Lab will meet in-person, once a month between September 2026 and July 2027, to share and develop a full-length play in a peer-guided format.
Please do not apply if you will be out of town for extended periods of time that will cause you to miss more than two monthly meetings.
How to Apply
Submissions for the 2026-27 Lab are open. The deadline to submit is July 31, 2026.
Applicants will receive a response by October 2026. Please refrain from emailing to inquire about your application status.
Questions? Email Program Director Nicholas Pilapil at emerginglab@iamatheatre.com.
