2026 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
JULY 30 - AUGUST 2
OPC’S 2026 New Works Festival will include presentations of fresh new work and unique events designed to foster connections between the playwrights of today, the artists of tomorrow, and YOU.
2026 OPC PLAYWRIGHTS
We are thrilled to announce this year’s selection of brilliant playwrights for our 2026 Summer Conference & New Works Festival! Playwrights receive a two-week workshop to develop their new plays, culminating with a public performance of their work at OPC’s New Works Festival, July 30 – Aug 2.
This year’s Festival playwrights: Jaclyn Backhaus, The Collectivists; Keith Bunin, The Loyal Opposition; Grace McLeod, Closing Costs; Harrison David Rivers, Except That it is God; and Mat Smart, The Last Nun at Lake Leaf Monastery. Also joining are Writers-in-Residence Juliette Carrillo, Zola Dee, and Gregory S Moss.
For the Festival, five writers will be joined by professional actors and production teams who help bring their vision to life; all eight of the playwrights will participate in events as part of the OPC artist community. Learn more about the 2026 playwrights here.
BECOME A 2026 FESTIVAL PRODUCER:
As a producer, you’re not just a donor—you’re a creative force behind the scenes, backing these incredible artists and the development of their new plays! Learn more here, and click below to become a Festival Producer or Associate Producer:
JOIN US AT THE 2026 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL!
Please join us to experience these astonishing new plays that reflect our diverse, dynamic, and ever-changing world.
Festival passholders receive unique benefits and become part of a community of people investing in OPC and our efforts to build connections and access for all.
To provide access for a more expansive audience, we are thrilled to share that all single tickets for the Festival are PAY WHAT YOU CAN. Single tickets will go on sale in early July.
Festival Passes are available now!
Read on for info about the public events of the Festival, or click below if you’re ready to purchase your passes now:
FESTIVAL PLAYS & EVENTS
SCHEDULE
IN CELEBRATION
Thursday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
An evening highlighting new work from across the OPC artist community, including the Youth Workshop and Intern programs, and Writers-in-Residence.
The Last Nun at Lake Leaf Monastery by Mat Smart
Fri, July 31, 7:30 p.m.
Sister Sally is the last one left at an isolated monastery on a remote island — until she turns the chapel into a boutique silent retreat center, that is. When married couple Bachal and A.J. arrive for a 30-day retreat in hope of reinvigorating their relationship, they get much more (or, perhaps, much less) than they bargained for.
IN CONVERSATION
Sat, August 1, 1:30 p.m.
A discussion with the playwrights led by OPC Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen
Except That it is God by Harrison David Rivers
Sat, August 1, 3:00 p.m.
In a city in the South, Deshaun sells drugs, Frankie cleans hotel rooms, and Noble makes sandwiches. They’re young, smart, and going nowhere fast. Except That it is God is an exploration of stuckness and the divine forces – human or otherwise – that just might shift everything.
Closing Costs by Grace McLeod
Sat, August 1, 7:30 p.m.
Buying a house in Los Angeles these days is a joke. But buying a 3-bed 2-bath Spanish-style bungalow in Atwater Village is… a farce. Closing Costs is a raucous send-up of the American dream, the Hollywood dream, and the real estate market in one of the most beautiful, expensive, and apocalyptic cities on earth. Let the bidding war begin.
The Loyal Opposition by Keith Bunin
Sun, August 2, 11:00 a.m.
Lee is a chef. Jesse is a farmer, hunter, and fisherman. Milo works in international conflict resolution but he's also an expert bartender. The three of them met in college and they've been crashing in and out of each other's lives ever since. When Lee summons Milo and Jesse to her hometown to help her open the restaurant that's been her lifelong dream, they're all forced to confront the promises they've made each other, the wounds they've inflicted on each other, and the fierce love and idealism that still binds them.
The Collectivists by Jaclyn Backhaus
Sun, August 2, 3:00 p.m.
A young woman cares for her elderly father who has dementia, an intentional live-work farm prepares for their annual harvest festival, a stranger shows up. Who will mind the sheep? What time does the lunch bell ring? And what about that lost vision of utopia? A moving new play exploring caregiving and community.
LOCATION: Milligan Center for the Performing Arts at The Thacher School, 5025 Thacher Road, Ojai, CA
General parking is just past the school entry gates on your right. The theater is a short walk up the hill on the left.
Accessible parking: There are several handicapped spaces across from the theater. If full, there are several reserved spaces just beyond the theater or guests can also be dropped off directly in front of the theater.
Box office: Please arrive with plenty of time to park and make the short walk to the box office, located in front of the theater.
FESTIVAL PASSES
Festival passholders receive unique benefits and become part of a community of people investing in OPC and our efforts to build connections and access for all.
OPC FULL FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
This all-access pass includes preferred seating for all events (Thursday-Sunday, July 30-Aug 2), an exclusive champagne toast with the artists before the first performance on Friday evening, and the option to join our community of OPC artists and audiences for a meal* between performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Events include In Celebration on Thursday evening, the Festival kickoff event Friday evening, five performances throughout the weekend, and In Conversation, a discussion with the 2026 playwrights, between the two readings on Saturday.
$320: all events w/o meals*
$400: all events w/meals (Reserve by July 29)
A DAY WITH OPC
This one-day pass includes preferred seating for all events on Saturday, August 1OR for all events on Sunday, August 2.
$80: day pass w/o meal*
$120: day pass w/meal (Reserve by July 29)
*THE MEALS:
Saturday, August 1, 6pm: Artists Dinner - Join us for a dinner with the 2026 directors & dramaturgs
Sunday, August 2, 1pm: Playwrights Lunch - Join us for lunch with the 2026 playwrights
SINGLE TICKETS: PAY WHAT YOU CAN
All single tickets for the 2026 Festival will be PAY WHAT YOU CAN.
Single tickets are general admission and will be available on this page in July.