The Firehouse is committed to the development of new work. Over the past 20 years, more than 250 have been performed on our stage first-through our annual Firehouse New Works Festival. This festival fosters the growth of New England playwrights while showcasing the talent of local and regional actors and directors. Playwrights from across New England submit their 10-minute shorts, one-act, and full-length plays to an independent panel who select the festival’s shows in anonymous readings. Directors and their casts then work with selected playwrights to produce two weekends of original theater.