Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Announces 2026 Summer Season Lineup

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The summer season will feature the 36th National Puppetry Conference, the National Music Theater Conference and more.

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The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has unveiled its 2026 summer conference lineup. From June through August, the O’Neill’s conferences will serve as a hub for puppeteers, playwrights, composers, critics, and performers to develop and share the next generation of American theater.

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The summer season officially kicks off with the 36th National Puppetry Conference, which annually brings together artists of all backgrounds to develop new work across a variety of puppetry styles. This year features experts in the field including Martin P. Robinson , Tim Lagasse , Liz Hara, Jim Kroupa, Lisa Buckley , Kurt Hunter, Alex & Olmsted, Rolling Puppet Alternative Theatre, and Alice Gottschalk.

The National Playwrights Conference will develop five exciting new plays: Possessed (or, "The Crazy African Girl" Play) by Gloria Majule, rachel, nevada by jose sebastian alberdi (NPC ‘23), Ms. Cleary's Last Supper by R. Forest Malley, Episodes by Kallan Dana, and The Last Nun at Lake Leaf Monastery by Mat Smart (NPC ‘02). These outstanding plays were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 1,655 scripts that were submitted in September 2025; after an intensive, months-long selection process, these chosen writers will develop their work alongside Artist-in-Residence and NPC alum Robert O’Hara (NPC ‘05, ’18, ‘19, ‘20). In the fall of 2026, the O’Neill will also host five additional writers for a five-day Writers Retreat, offering dramaturgical support and mentorship from conference leadership and O’Neill staff.

The National Music Theater Conference remains the country’s premier program for the development of new musicals, and will feature two dynamic new works chosen from a pool of over 420 submissions: Goblins & Gates: A Pen and Paper Musical Adventure (Book, Music & Lyrics by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña); and Mirror Image (Written by Laura Winters and JJ Warshaw).

The Cabaret & Performance Conference will conclude the summer season with ten nights of performances featuring guest artists— Bonnie Milligan , Phillip Officer , Natalie Douglas , Thomas Z. Shepard , Charles Busch , and Michael R. Jackson —and the talented Cabaret Fellows and Junior Fellows, who will spend the conference honing their skills under the tutelage of the conference’s staff and guest artists.

The O’Neill will once again welcome a talented group of arts critics and cultural journalists for the National Critics Institute. Throughout their time on campus, they will work alongside creative professionals at the O'Neill to gain insight into the specialized areas of arts and culture and examine arts journalism from various perspectives.

Summer offerings will also include free and pay-what-you-can events, starting with the Young Playwrights Festival on May 17th, featuring five short plays written by area middle and high school students. The National Theater Institute will also welcome 31 dedicated young writers, directors, and actors, to its Theatermakers Summer Intensive, who will present original plays, short films, and musicals every Monday evening for six weeks beginning on June 15.

Member pre-sale for the summer performances will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10am. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10am.

Pam Arciero , Artistic Director Jean Marie Keevins, Artistic Producer June 12 & 13 - 7pm

“We invite you to join us this summer to share in the imaginative and creative work of our puppet artists from all over the world,” said National Puppetry Conference Artistic Director Pam Arciero . “We are proud to continue this tradition of puppeteers sharing, creating, and developing new ideas and voices for our audiences. We look forward to seeing you there to enjoy the world of puppet arts with us.”

Audiences are invited to two nights of performances on June 12 & 13 at 7pm. This year’s Masterclasses, which will be led by Lisa Buckley , Bart Roccoberton, Jr., Tim Lagasse , Martin P. Robinson , Bobbi Nidzgorski, Marsian De Lellis, Jim Kroupa, Kurt Hunter, Alice Gottschalk, Jean Marie Keevins, Pam Arciero , Rolling Puppet Alternative Theatre, Kalob Martinez , Alex & Olmsted, and Annett Matteo, will be available for on-demand viewing later in the year.

Melia Bensussen , Artistic Director

The National Playwrights Conference is excited to welcome five talented playwrights to the summer 2026 conference.

"I am thrilled to celebrate the next extraordinary cohort of writers who will be joining us this summer at the O’Neill,” said National Playwrights Conference Artistic Director Melia Bensussen . “Their artistry is boldly imaginative, theatrically expansive, and demonstrates a deep commitment to reminding us of our shared humanity with grace, joy, and ferocity."

Playwrights will partake in a week-long developmental process including two public performances of their plays and will remain in residence on the O’Neill’s campus throughout the entirety of the conference. In addition to working with professional creative teams, they will also receive mentorship and support from this year’s Artist-in-Residence, NPC alum Robert O’Hara (NPC ‘05, ’18, ‘19, ‘20). "As a testament to the power of the National Playwrights Conference, I’m thrilled that Robert O’Hara will be joining Gloria, Forest, sebastian, Kallan, and Mat as our Artist-in-Residence,” said Bensussen. “Robert is a theatrical force of nature and exemplifies the experimentation we encourage our writers to engage in every summer.”

June 17 - 7pm June 21 - 3pm

June 23 - 7pm June 27 - 7pm

June 24 - 7pm June 28 - 3pm

June 30 - 7pm July 4 - 7pm

July 1 - 7pm July 5 - 3pm

Alexander Gemignani , Artistic Director

From a pool of approximately 420 applications, the National Music Theater Conference has selected two musicals for developmental workshops. Each piece chosen for the summer conference will take part in two weeks of intensive rehearsal with industry-leading creative teams and will receive three public, script-in-hand readings.

“Each year, the National Music Theater Conference reminds me how expansive and alive the future of American musical theater truly is,” said Alexander Gemignani , Artistic Director. “This season we're proud to support two exciting new works, Goblins & Gates: A Pen and Paper Musical Adventure by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña, and Mirror Image by Laura Winters and JJ Warshaw. Though distinct in style and scope, both pieces are driven by a deep curiosity about identity, connection, and the worlds we build through imagination, ambition, and community. It is a privilege to welcome these artists to the O’Neill and to support their work as it continues to grow.”

Book, Music & Lyrics by Michael Campbell and Gonzalo Valencia-Peña July 10, 14 & 16 - 7pm

Written by Laura Winters & JJ Warshaw July 11, 15 & 17 - 7pm

John McDaniel , Artistic Director Jeremiah Downes, Program Director - Junior Cabaret Fellows

The Cabaret & Performance Conference, led by Grammy and Emmy Award winner John McDaniel , will take place July 22 through August 1 and conclude the summer season with ten nights of performances. Featured guest artists include Bonnie Milligan , Phillip Officer , Thomas Z. Shepard , Natalie Douglas , Charles Busch , and Michael R. Jackson . They will appear alongside the talented Cabaret Fellows and Junior Fellows, who will spend the conference honing their craft under the guidance of faculty and guest artists.

“Each season at the O'Neill, I strive to create a vibrant, diverse cabaret experience where rising voices and seasoned artists share the stage,” said Artistic Director John McDaniel . "We encourage performers to feel free to be fully themselves, because the most powerful storytelling comes from honesty and connection."

July 22 - 8pm

July 23 - 8pm

July 24 - 8pm

July 25 - 8pm

July 26 - 8pm

July 28 - 8pm

July 29 - 8pm

2026 Junior Fellows: Zoë Dykas, Ayla Jolly-Ballantine, Kasen Orenstein, Alexa Checchi, Sophia Sherman, Liam Carolan-Simpson, Mirabelle Alpher, Ace Bairos, Phoebe Coffey

July 30 - 8pm

2026 Cabaret Fellows: Ella Bato, Juwon Perry , Nicholas Harrison, Jaime Barcelon , Maitlen Suvari, Selma Elbalesy, Katherine Markle, and Mike Wilson

July 31 - 8pm

August 1 - 8pm

Sophia Chapadjiev, Director of Education

The Young Playwrights Festival, led by Director of Education Sophia Chapadjiev, provides an opportunity for a cohort of students to receive a rigorous exploration of their work guided by professional artists and a script-in-hand public reading of their new play. During this weekend, students spend time on the O’Neill campus with a dedicated creative team—director, dramaturg, and actors—to help them develop their short plays.

Simultaneously, honorable mention Guest Playwrights spend the weekend observing the development processes, attending playwriting workshops and rehearsals, and hearing their own scripts read aloud.

“This festival creates a space where young writers can take creative risks and see their work come to life. Their voices are fresh, urgent, and full of possibility,” said Chapadjiev.

The five Featured Playwrights whose scripts will be presented on Sunday, May 17 at 5pm are as follows:

The Art of Making Tea by Evelyn Cai; Groton School, 11th grade – Groton, MA Saving the Evil Wizard by Marcus Lowy; Old Saybrook HS, 11th grade - Old Saybrook, CT Interlude by Henry Nazarian; Clark Lane MS, 8th grade Waterford, CT Neverland by Yune (Sophie) Park; Choate Rosemary Hall, 11th grade – Wallingford, CT Variations on Easter Sunday by Julia Price; North Shore HS, 11th grade – Glen Head, NY

The 16 Guest Playwrights are: Agbakin Biaou, Sarah Froman, Caitlin Gilmore, Piper Harnois, Wyatt Krueger, Adelina Lee, Clare Lopez , Silver Montieth, Reese Naughton, Zoë Palazzo, Addison Parlier, Vera Ross , Callan Scott, Henry Steinhaus, Ella Taft, and Emma Wolff.

Rachel Jett , Artistic Director

The Theatermakers Summer Intensive is a six-week program of training in acting, directing, and playwriting, where students create and perform original work while engaging with artists across the O’Neill’s summer conferences. Six free public performances will be held on Monday evenings at 7pm from June 15 through July 20.

“We are thrilled to be working with a cohort of theatermakers who come to us from all over the country and the world, at many different stages of their educational and artistic journey. The common denominator among all of our students is that they want to build a life in the theater. NTI is honored to be the place where these artists will collaborate, create, discover, and hone their considerable skills. We are so excited for all they will learn and experience at the O’Neill,” said Rachel Jett , Artistic Director of the National Theater Institute.

Chris Jones , Director Naveen Kumar , Associate Director

The National Critics Institute will welcome a cohort of arts critics and cultural journalists for an intensive two-week program from July 1 to July 11. Selected participants will take part in a rigorous workshop designed for writers of all experience levels seeking to strengthen their skills in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced industry. The program leverages the O’Neill’s community of artists and creative professionals to provide participants with insight into specialized areas of the arts, a deeper understanding of arts journalism from multiple perspectives, and

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/connecticut/article/National-Playwrights-Conference-and-More-Set-for-Eugene-ONeill-Theater-Center-2026-Summer-Season-20260512)._