Experiments in Opera welcomes applications to the fifth cycle of our Writers’ Room project, a dynamic collaborative experience that invites artists interested in opera to take on a full-length project with the support of a peer community and guidance from the EiO Artist Leaders Jason Cady, Kamala Sankaram, Aaron Siegel and Shannon Sindelar.

The Writers’ Room started in 2019 as a way of rethinking the development process for new opera. EiO assembled a group of playwrights, librettists, storytellers and composers to collaborate on a single large-scale opera.  This new format, inspired by TV Writers’ Rooms, allows for an efficient developmental timeline and collaboration among peers. We have produced four new works through the Writers’ Room: Everything for Dawn, Aqua Net & Funyuns, Five Ways to Die and Constance: A Confession.

For our fifth iteration of the Writers’ Room, we continue our practice of evolving our process and format. To this end, we are going to be accepting applications this Fall 2026 from Writers, Playwrights, Librettists, and anyone else whose primary medium is text.  We will put out a separate call for composers in the spring of 2027.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

EiO has a clearly defined set of criteria for artist selection to the Writers’ Room.  With every application, we ask ourselves and our assembled panel the following questions:

Is the artist embracing new ideas? Are they willing to stretch as an artist? How does the artist demonstrate technique and voice? Can the artist articulate why they want to write an opera? Is the artist willing to ‘play well with others’ in a collaboration?  Is the artist interested in feedback from the EiO Artist Leaders and the full community of artists?

Since we will meet in person for the Writers’ Room 5 activities, we are looking for artists who live in the Tri-state area.   We are unable to provide travel or accommodation.

WHAT A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION INCLUDES:

Can the writer construct an original plot? Are the characters clearly delineated?  Is the dialogue active and evocative? We are particularly interested in writing that includes a demonstration of lyricism.

We highly recommend you listen to our past projects to get a sense of the kind of work we support.

WHAT IS THE FLOW OF ACTIVITY IN THE WRITERS’ ROOM:

The fifth Writers’ Room will happen over three phases:

In Phase One, writers meet with each other to start the collaboration on a new libretto. They will get to know each other and each others’ work over the course of a kick-off weekend. Then the writers will launch into a process (2 months) where they decide on an idea for a new opera, draft parts of that libretto, and provide feedback to one another. At the end of this process, EiO will hold a reading of the newly-generated libretto. Writers’ will have an opportunity to edit following the reading before handing off their libretto to the Writers’ Room composers.

In Phase Two, EiO will share parts of the libretto with applying composers, so we can make sure the composers are aware of the work they are applying to write music for.  We will host a “handoff” weekend in Summer 2027, where composers and librettists will meet and learn about each others’ work.  At the end of that weekend, composers will have received their writing assignments from the libretto.  Then, over the course of the fall 2027, composers will meet with each other to generate ideas, create connections between their music and generally shape the work.  In Spring 2028, EiO will host a workshop of the new opera for the composers and librettists to attend.  Together, the group of artists will provide feedback to each other and then finalize the scores for the premiere production.

In Phase Three, EiO will host a reading of the final score in the fall of 2028, as we prepare for a world premiere production in spring of 2029.

PROJECT DATES:

PHASE ONE

• November 2, 2026 – Deadline for Writers’ Room 5 (Librettists) Application
• December 1 – 11, 2026 – Interviews with Librettist Applicant Finalists (remote)
• December 18, 2026 – EiO will notify all Librettists of their application status
• * January 2027 – Two-Day, In-Person Kick-Off Meeting and Orientation for Librettists.  This meeting is mandatory for all selected artists. (in-person NYC)
• * January – March, 2027 – Librettist Writing Intensive period (in-person NYC)
• * April 2027 – Libretto Reading
• May 2027 – Recruit and Select Composers for Writers’ Room 5

*These dates will be decided on in consultation with the selected artists.

PHASE TWO

• August 2027 – Handoff Meeting with Writers’ Room composers and librettists
• Spring 2028 – Workshop with orchestra and singers (in-person NYC)
• Spring 2028 – Full Writers’ Room meeting to discuss edits and revisions (In-person NYC)

PHASE THREE

• Fall 2028 – Second Full Opera Workshop (in-person NYC)
• Spring 2029 – Premiere Production

COMMISSION

Artists participating in the Writers’ Room will receive $3000.00 for their work as part of the project. The commission will be split into three different payments over the scope of the project.

Application Due: Monday November 2, 2026, by 11:59pm