Metamorphoses
An Adaptation Development Program
Metamorphoses is a reading series and new work program for playwrights and adaptive artists who have work in various stages of development.
Plays for the 2026-27 Metamorphoses program will be offered editorial feedback, have two staged readings of different drafts produced throughout the season, and be considered for future workshopping opportunities as they arise.
This program is meant for in-progress or recently drafted adaptive works that have not been previously produced or workshopped.
We are looking for projects that fall under these guidelines:
Works of Adaptation
This could mean a wide range of projects based on many different source texts:
- Classical plays by playwrights such as Shakespeare, Euripides, Marlowe, Chekov, Ibsen, Shaw, etc.
- Mythology, religion, folk lore, urban legends from any different culture or diaspora
- Public domain films, art, and literature (As of January 1st, 2025 anything published 1929 and prior is considered public domain)
- Anything you can justify as adaptive storytelling
The amount your work reflects its source texts is up to you, adaptation comes in many genre, shape, and form.
Exploration of Genre and Medium
We have a particular interest in work that blurs the lines of performance genres and mediums. Our audiences are sparked by works that combine dance, theatre, film, art, poetry, and performance in compelling ways.
Progressive Stories and Artists
Our mission is to reclaim classical storytelling through a progressive and modern lens. We look for work that highlights the stories of marginalized communities and seek to support the artists that are a part of those communities.
The 2026-27 program will accept two plays, one for a fall session and one for a spring session.
DEADLINE: August 14th
Metamorphoses 2026-27
Please submit your application through this form! This helps us keep track of your submission. Cold emails are easily lost in the shuffle, and we want to make sure we’re giving your play proper attention. Note: Only works of adaptation, adapted from public domain works will be considered.
Past Selections
Us Unparadised by Maggie Rahilly (Spring 2026)
Development Process
Project Submission (Due August 14th)
Artists will submit their project concepts and most recent version of their script. Scripts that are incomplete and “In-Progress” will be considered alongside a treatment that the unfinished aspects of the piece.
Artist Interview (Between August 19th and September 20th)
As part of the selection process, the Next Life artistic team will meet with the submitting artist to further discuss your project and decide if your project is a right fit for the lab.
Selection and Initial Feedback
After selection for the development program, the artist will meet once again with the artistic team to discuss notes on initial submission with a look towards a revised and completed first draft.
Draft Review
The artist and artistic team throughout the drafting process in a schedule set by the artist and team at time of selection, with the goal of preparing a draft for their first reading.
FALL: September
SPRING: February
First Reading
Next Life will produce a virtual reading of the first draft of your script and hold a feedback session immediately following the reading.
FALL: October 13th-18th, Exact Date/Time TBD
SPRING: April 1st-4th, Exact Date/Time TBD
Second Draft Review
The artist and artistic team throughout the second drafting process in a schedule set by the artist and team following the first reading, with the goal of preparing a draft for their second reading.
FALL: November
SPRING: April
Second Reading
Next Life will produce a public reading of the second draft of your script and hold a feedback session immediately following the reading.
FALL: Wednesday, November 18th at 7:15pm
SPRING: May 13th or 14th at 7:30pm
Both in person readings will take place at The Rat NYC in Brooklyn, NYC.
Future of the Project
After going through our development process, projects may be considered for staged workshopping or production as part of a future season.
Next Life will reserve first rights on continuing the development and production of the script, but there is no guarantee of further development or production following the lab process.