The Playwright’s Lab at Hollins
A Hybrid Low-Residency MFA
Transforming the Future of Theatre
Rooted in a philosophy of鈥痳igor, revision, and relentless curiosity, the Playwright鈥檚 Lab provides a uniquely immersive environment where writers develop their craft through hands-on collaboration with faculty, visiting artists, theatres, and community-based partners. We believe playwrights aren鈥檛 just writers; they鈥檙e architects of experience, facilitators of dialogue, and culture-shapers. Our program is built to support the full artistic and professional life of the modern theatre-maker.
Our hybrid structure offers flexibility without sacrificing depth. Writers work intensely during in-person 4-week summer residencies, then continue developing their projects in the Fall and Spring semesters in online readings and workshops.
Craft. Discipline. Transformation.
At Hollins, plays are not simply written; they are鈥tested, stretched, broken open, and reborn. This is a space where writers learn to trust their instincts, sharpen their voices, and embrace the discipline required to create work that resonates.听
The Playwright鈥檚 Lab emphasizes:
- Rigorous craft training鈥痝rounded in structure, language, and character development听
- Fierce commitment to revision, with multiple opportunities to rewrite, rethink, and reimagine听
- A supportive-yet-demanding environment鈥痺here students push their aesthetic boundaries听
- Mentorship with nationally recognized artists鈥痑cross playwriting, directing, new play development and production dramaturgy, and producing听
- Hybrid flexibility, combining intensive summer residencies with year-round individual virtual synchronous and asynchronous coursework听
New Works Initiative
The Playwright鈥檚 Lab is deeply embedded in both professional and community ecosystems. Collaboration here isn鈥檛 an accessory; it鈥檚 the heart of the program. Through long-standing partnerships with theaters, festivals, and grassroots cultural organizations, students gain experience in:
The New Works Initiative helps cover the cost of student readings/productions in legitimate theatres. If you wish to support the New Works Initiative of the Playwright鈥檚 Lab, you may do so听online. Be sure to select 鈥渙ther鈥 and designate that the gift is for the New Works Initiative.
- New play development processes, including table work, development workshops and readings, and workshop productions听
- Cross-disciplinary creation, collaborating with dance, film, music, and performance artists听
- Community-engaged theatre, partnering with organizations that center local stories and social impact听
Costs
Tuition
- Summer 2025 tuition: $900 per credit hour, or $10,800 for the normal load of three four-credit courses.
Fees
- New students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $400 within two weeks of their acceptance. Returning students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $200 by May 16 (deposits credited toward summer tuition charges).
- Technology fee: $175/summer
- Summer housing: $34/day
- Health services: $50
Student scholarships are available. To apply for these, students must complete the annually.
Training Playwrights to Self-Produce
Whether building a one-person show, managing a developmental workshop, or launching a community-centered performance series, one of the Playwright鈥檚 Lab鈥檚 core commitments is to train playwrights not just to wait for permission, but to鈥make their own theatre happen. Hollins playwrights learn to shepherd their work from page to stage with autonomy, integrity, and creative control. Students graduate with concrete skills in:
- Producing and self-producing theatre鈥痑t a variety of scales听
- Budgeting, fundraising, and grant-writing, with real-world applications听
- Marketing, audience development, and community engagement听
- Season and festival planning, including how to curate and manage events听
- Navigating contracts, unions, rights, and production logistics
A Community of Artists Who Champion Each Other听
At the Playwright鈥檚 Lab at Hollins University, you鈥檒l join a lineage of writers who experiment fearlessly, revise relentlessly, collaborate expansively, and create theatre that matters.听听
Why Hollins?
- Because your work deserves an artistic home听听
- Because you want an education that is equal parts art, craft, labor, and daring.听
- Because you want to engage in a culture of generosity and accountability.听
- Because you want faculty who work one-on-one with students.听
- Because you want the agency to forge a professional life that is sustainable.听
- Because you鈥檙e ready to go deeper.听
