Across a Crowded Room Session for Actors and Directors

The Library for the Performing Arts’ annual incubator program series, called Across a Crowded Room, gives theater makers the chance to connect with others working across the industry. If you’re an actor or director with any level of experience, sign up to meet others for a chance to collaborate and create new work! The teams that formed last month will present the concepts they are developing and possibly preview some work. If an idea interests you, you’ll have a chance to meet the teams and decide if you want to collaborate.

Ultimately, the summer-long program will pair the directors and performers from this event with lyricists, composers, and bookwriters together to form connections, collaborate, and create new 20-minute musical theater pieces to present at the Library for the Performing Arts.

The Library has hosted these intensive sessions since 2014. Theater professionals like Jeanine Tesori, Jason Robert Brown, and Lisa Lambert offer participants guided feedback. At the end of the program, the formed collaborations present their musicals to a live audience at the Library.

In additional sessions, this year held virtually and  in person in the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab, participants will present their work to established composers, lyricists, and bookwriters for feedback and advice.

Please sign up for only one category even if you are willing to perform multiple roles.

This year's timeline includes final presentations in October 2026 and March 2027  live at the Library for the Performing Arts.