For nearly three decades, the Colorado New Play Festival (CNPF) has carved out a space in the national arts landscape – and its impact has been quietly powerful.

Unlike many new play festivals that source material directly from playwright submissions, CNPF works differently.

“We receive submissions from theater companies, not just playwrights,” says Colt Neidhardt, who is the executive director of the Colorado New Play Festival. “Those companies have already committed to developing the proposed work. That partnership is crucial – it means almost every play we help develop goes on to a production.”

That model has proved not only sustainable but wildly successful. Since its inception as a program at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp 27 years ago, and especially since becoming an independent entity eight years ago, CNPF has supported the development of over 100 new works. “Purpose,” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and produced by Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, Illinois – a  2019 participant – recently opened on Broadway and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was nominated for six Tony awards including Best New Play.

So, what makes this high-altitude festival a creative beacon?

For one week each June, Steamboat Springs becomes a creative incubator. Playwrights, directors and actors gather to spend six focused days together – writing, revising, rehearsing and reimagining.

“A lot of theater companies don’t have the space or resources to develop new plays from the ground up,” Colt says. “We bring the entire creative team together early in the process so they can collaborate before the script is even finalized. Theater is a collaborative art form – so starting that collaboration early is key.”

Rehearsals take place at Colorado Mountain College, while artists share housing and meals – all designed to encourage spontaneous conversations and creative breakthroughs.

“Our goal behind the scenes is to make everything feel seamless and relaxed. The rest of the year is all about preparing – booking travel, coordinating meals, arranging housing – so during the festival week, the artists can focus fully on the work.”

CNPF’s track record is hard to ignore: an estimated 75% of the plays developed at the festival eventually land on regional or New York stages.

“We’re fortunate to collaborate with some of the best people in the industry, right here in Steamboat,” Colt says. “In New York, you might pay hundreds of dollars to see these artists perform. Here, you see them up close, creating something new.”

The festival’s curated approach – winnowing dozens of submissions down to just four plays each year – ensures every project is unique. “It’s really competitive,” Colt says. “The writing is phenomenal, and selecting the final lineup is one of the most exciting and difficult parts of the process.”

This summer, audiences will experience staged readings – a format that may surprise newcomers expecting full productions. But the experience is no less electric.

“Think of it like a literary event,” Colt says. “Audiences will see top-tier actors performing with scripts in hand, supported by music stands. It’s a first look at something potentially incredible.”

In fact, for those attending for the first time, there’s a special kind of thrill in knowing they might be watching the next Pulitzer Prize winner take shape in real time.

Community support is a key ingredient in the festival’s recipe. Locals are invited to attend rehearsals and staged readings, and CNPF makes a point of including both national talent and local Colorado artists in its programming.

This year’s performances will take place at the Bud Werner Memorial Library – a new partnership that feels like a perfect match.

“It’s our first year at the library, and we’re thrilled,” Colt says. “It’s such a great space, and anyone who’s a fan of Literary Sojourn, or just checking out books, will feel right at home.”

This summer’s lineup is as eclectic as ever, featuring companies with annual budgets ranging from $300,000 to multi-million-dollar institutions. The plays themselves span a wide range of topics, styles, and voices – including newcomers and established names like Lauren Gunderson, currently the most produced living playwright in the country.

“It’s incredibly exciting to share these stories and introduce these artists to Steamboat. This year’s work is bold, diverse and deeply engaging – and we can’t wait for audiences to experience it,” Colt says.

For those lucky enough to snag a seat, the Colorado New Play Festival offers more than a cultural detour – it’s a front-row seat to the future of American theater.

This year’s festival takes place on Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14. For more information, visit cnpfsteamboat.org.