Frequently Asked Questions

The Hampton Roads New Works Residency is open to playwrights of all experience levels. Whether this is your first play or your fifteenth, we welcome writers with a project they're excited to develop.

No. Writers may arrive with anything from a concept or outline to a complete draft.

Yes. However, while musicals are accepted, they tend to be a very intense commitment. Please review our "Musicals" FAQ below for more details.

No. Formal education is not required.

No. Rather than evaluating applicants solely on previous work, the application focuses on your project, your goals, and your readiness to participate fully in the residency.

The pilot residency is designed for a small cohort of six writers to encourage meaningful collaboration and individualized mentorship.

A selection timeline with notification dates will be posted each application cycle.

Each day includes dedicated writing time, optional peer discussion, mentorship opportunities, community meals, and time to relax and recharge.

The application process is selective due to limited space, but the residency emphasizes collaboration rather than competition.

Yes. Writers participate in group discussions, individual conversations with the guest playwright, and a final reading of selected work.

The program focuses on making you an active participant in others' writing, and invites you to be open to the same, but the environment is designed to be supportive rather than high-pressure. It is highly encouraged to challenge your comfort and participate in sharing and peer discussions to get the most out of this experience.

Writers stay together in a shared residency house designed to encourage community while still allowing for quiet writing time.

Room assignments vary, but housing details are provided before the residency. If you have specific accommodations that necessitate a private room, please communicate those needs in your application.

Community meals are included throughout the residency. The ingredients for these meals, as well as drinks and snacks for a community pantry, are all provided. Meal prep is a community activity, facilitated by a different artist but participated in by all each night.

Yes. Any dietary restrictions submitted with accepted applications will be accommodated in meal selections, snacks, or alternatives.

Writers are encouraged to arrange their own transportation to the retreat location. For those who cannot, a rideshare pick-up location will be provided.

Parking information will be shared with accepted participants.

Tuition for the pilot residency is $450, with a $100 deposit required to reserve your space if accepted.

Tuition covers housing, mentorship, residency programming, materials, shared meals, and community events.

As funding grows, scholarship opportunities may become available.

Refund information — including the policy regarding minimum enrollment requirements — will be outlined during registration.

The residency concludes with an informal reading featuring work developed during the week. At this time the reading is limited to participants, readers, sponsors of the pilot program, and local producers interested in the development of new works.

Local actors solicited for participation will receive a small honorarium to rehearse for one day and read for the presentation.

Yes. If you are a composer, you are welcome to bring a piano or device with equipment necessary to compose and share.

No. All attendees of the program must be working on their own individual creative piece. You are welcome to collaborate on music virtually, as long as the composer agrees to work alongside you and the retreat schedule.

Yes, but only a pianist will be provided for the closing reading, and will rehearse your songs alongside actors during the pre-reading rehearsal period. No instrumentation beyond piano will be permitted.

To preserve the collaborative nature of the environment, we limit guests of the space to care support staff and the writers. Virtual interactions are permitted outside of the residency schedule, but you may find this challenging on your writing time, so please take this into account. Friends you've worked with virtually before or during the retreat are welcome to attend the closing.

No. While it is likely you can make connections that could jumpstart your work, if you do not already have a musical writing plan in place, we suggest you start your application with a non-musical work.

Actors can complete a Reader Interest Form to be added to the pool of potential contacts. This is a rolling database accepting submissions all year round.

Yes — while amounts may vary due to funding, all readers are compensated for their participation.

You can make an individual donation, sponsor a writer, underwrite a residency experience, or provide in-kind support.

Contributions directly support playwrights, mentorship, housing, meals, artistic programming, and future residency expansion.

Absolutely. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, foundations, and community organizations.