An Annual Theatre Festival in the Sullivan Catskills
September 5-7, 2025
Welcome!
The IN THE WORKS ~ IN THE WOODS Festival was created and founded in 2021 at the Forestburgh Playhouse. It grew out of the passion for nurturing, developing and celebrating new plays and musicals ~ and the diverse writers and artists who bring them to life.
During an exhilarating week every September, dozens of creators from around the country gather on our enchanting Forestburgh, NY campus to rehearse, rewrite, commune, workshop and share their gifts with our community at large. Over the course of the festival weekend – we present staged readings of the new plays, new musicals and 2 new solo cabaret acts. .
In addition, the Festival features Q & A talkbacks with our audiences, Off The Cuff conversations with world-renown theatre-makers, open-mic nights, tastings by local food and beverage artisans - and plenty of other wonderful surprises.
Be a part of the magic – and come check out the 2025 IN THE WORKS~IN THE WOODS Festival. Help us support emerging and established theatrical artistry – and carry on the brilliant and unique, theatrical legacy of the Sullivan Catskills!
September 5-7, 2025
Franklin Trapp, Producer and Founder
Matt Lenz, Artistic Director and Founder
Get a Passport to the entire weekend of the 2025 Festival.
Artist Testimonials
What a joy it was to have our musical Stage Mother workshopped at In the Works in the Woods last summer. Beautiful setting for seasoned professionals to dig deep into the show and hone it for a week. A collaborative and supportive atmosphere with appreciative audiences.
We were happy to have Broadway producers attend the performances and it appears we're on our way. Thank you, ITWITW!
J. Todd Harris, Producer Stage Mother (2023)
"The In the Works Festival was a game changer for my play, Invisible. Being out of the city for a week, engulfed in the work, afforded me the concentration and space to land on the true potential of the show. Sharing the piece with audiences, some of whom came back for a second helping, gave me the confidence and proof that I should keep going. Due to the success of our time at ITW, the play landed a Broadway producer who is now attached to our future. The inhouse daily meals were delicious, as was witnessing the new work of other artists. I'd do it all again if they'd have me back. "
Douglas Lyons, Playwright, Invisible (2023)
Thank You To Our Fabulous Sponsors!
The In The Works~In The Woods
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
includes:
Scott Evans
Alan Muraoka
Valentina Fratti
Anthony C. Daniel
Banji Aborasade
Ana Flavia Zuim
Kate Wilson
Roque Berlanga
Jaime Lozano
Jillain Carucci
Robin Levine
This project is made possible in part with funding from a Sullivan County Arts & Heritage Grant, funded by the Sullivan County Legislature and administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.