Roundabout Underground® fosters new works by emerging theatre artists.

It exists to support early career writers by developing and producing their new works in a creative, low-pressure environment. It also offers opportunities for directors and designers to hone their storytelling skills. Writers are often at the very beginning of their New York careers, and those that receive an Underground production also receive a Roundabout commission in an effort to offer continual support to these emerging playwrights.

In 2024 the Roundabout Underground Residencies were introduced to provide two playwrights time and space to work on one of their plays. Each writer is offered a multi-day workshop of the play, scheduled time at a desk in a shared workspace, and access to Roundabout resources and staff that they feel is helpful to their process and overall artistic development. 

Roundabout's work with emerging and established playwrights, as well as the development of new plays, is made possible by Eric and Fiona Rudin.

Additional support is provided by Roundabout’s Leaders for New Works:

Eugene and Joann Bissell and the Lillian Lincoln Foundation
James Costa and John Archibald
Linda L. D’Onofrio
Thomas and Liam Drury-Wan
Peggy and Mark Ellis
Carson Gleberman
Sylvia Golden
Dr. Douglas Holden and Dr. Jean Weng Holden
Laurents/Hatcher Foundation
Angelina Lippert
Toni Ratner Miller
Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater
Mary Solomon
Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Readings and workshops at Roundabout are supported, in part, by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation

New Play Initiative

Roundabout is committed to supporting and developing the creation of new works through our New Play Initiative.

Roundabout Underground Production History