“Our time at the In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival was one of the most joyful experiences I've had working on any show. It's an idyllic place to write, rehearse, brainstorm. We had a brilliant cast who were game to jump in and try anything. And every single person at the Playhouse was there to help make the shows better. We were so supported and nurtured, and made connections and friendships with people I look forward to working with again and again. Many of the country's most enduring development opportunities for new works didn't survive the pandemic. ITW-ITW is a new gem.”

Deborah Zoe Laufer, Writer, By Any Other Name (2021)

(I know it's a bit of a ramble -- I just truly loved my time there so much. It's hard to even say how much it meant to me.)

~ “You lifted our show up and gave us the space, time, and support to get it to the next step. We will forever be grateful to you and everyone at FORESTBURGH! Thank you so very much!”

Jessica Hendy, Writer/Performer, Walking with Bubbles (2022)

~ “Working on Gordon Gets Down! at the Forestburgh Playhouse during the In the Works In the Woods festival was an instrumental step in the development of our piece. Having a full week of rehearsal with a talented group of actors and creatives, in such a supportive environment is an incredible opportunity for any writer. That amount of in depth focus and work allowed us to really trim the fat of our show and bring the main message into focus. Having multiple pieces - being rehearsed at the same time created an incredibly supportive and safe environment. The audience was not only made up of local supporters, but also the writers, creators and actors of the other pieces involved in the festival which allowed for very diverse forum for feedback. We’re thrilled to announce that our show has been selected as part of the 2023 mainstage season at the Forestburgh Playhouse!” 

Caleb Damschroder, Composer, Gordon Gets Down! (2022)

~ “We had an incredible week in the woods at Forestburgh Playhouse getting to work on Bottle Shock! The Musical during the 2022 "In the Works, In the Woods” Festival, to develop the piece as we prepare for the world premier this summer in California. The time was invaluable to myself, Vadim and the writers as we learned more about the show and were able to use the time to try out some pretty big changes! So grateful to Matt and Franklin for inviting us! And what fun we had being surrounded by so many new works in all stages of development! In a creative environment like the Festival, you can’t help but be inspired by all of the great work going on around every corner!” 

J. Scott Lapp, Director, Bottle Shock, The Musical!

“Thank you so much!!! We are over the moon! And wouldn’t be here [Off-Broadway] without our time up in Forestburgh!!”

Brianna Barnes, Composer, Walking With Bubbles (2022)

I had the honor of being a part of the first ITW~ITW as a cabaret artist. The ITW~ITW team helped make a process that was deeply vulnerable and intimidating something that became thrilling and empowering. I am so grateful that I built my first-ever solo cabaret at ITW~ITW and am proud to be a part of this festival’s history!

Belinda Allyn - @belinda_allyn

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

The In the Works, In the Woods Festival has changed the artistic landscape for readings and workshops in the industry. This one-of-a-kind festival has allowed hundreds or artists to channel and champion the work of the future, in a here-and-now environment. The future truly unfolds in the magic of the forest and the festival. I have been fortunate to have been involved in the ITW-ITW festival two years in a row, stage managing for the new musicals, Bottle Shock! and Stage Mother. Each year, I have been able to see first-hand how the festival has grown to become not just a space to read new work, but a “setting-the-stage” opportunity for the future of musical theatre. This incredible incubator connects artists, creates opportunity, and conveys the meaning of theatre through the brilliant work that every dedicated artist brings to the garden of artistry and innovation, here every September at the Forestburgh Playhouse. 

Sean Leehan

"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

Our time at In The Works-In The Woods was absolutely crucial for the development of Walking With Bubbles. To have time and space set apart in this tranquil environment away from the noise of the city was the greatest gift for our piece. What a gift to get to have an audience of new and totally objective faces too - we walked away learning so much about what worked and what we still needed to play with. We’d highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants a safe and encouraging creative space to bring their project to the next step.

Brianna Kothari Barnes, “Walking With Bubbles” (2022)

I cherish my time “In the Woods” as one of the most unique, magical, and fulfilling experiences in my career thus far. To help breathe life into a work in its nascent stages alongside writers, composers, directors, and performers I’ve admired for years was a gift. Each day in rehearsal, when you’re handed brand new pages of music, you’re filled with a sense of whimsical responsibility; we’re here to play, we’re here to embrace spontaneity, we’re here to create. There’s something so lovely about being secluded in nature with only a special community of artists for a short period of time. It’s the transience that makes our industry so special. I’m thrilled that Forestburgh has developed this incubation process for new works, and I cannot wait to see what the In the Works~In the Woods Festival leads to in the future!

Meagan Lewis-Michelson