2024 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
AUGUST 1 - 4
OPC’S 2024 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.
Playwrights receive a two-week workshop to develop their new plays, culminating in a public performance of their work at OPC’s New Works Festival, August 1 - 4. 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 this year’s playwrights here.
Please join us in Ojai to experience these artists, their voices, and the future of the American theater!
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 again thrilled to share that all single tickets for the 2024 Festival are donation-based, or PAY WHAT YOU CAN.
Festival passes and individual tickets 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 or single tickets now.
FESTIVAL PLAYS & EVENTS
IN CELEBRATION
Thursday, August 1, 7:30 p.m.
A special evening highlighting the work of artists in the OPC community, from the students in the Youth Workshop and Intern programs to the award-winning 2024 Writers-in-Residence.
barren. by Alex Lin
Friday, August 2, 7:30 p.m.
Yifei is an OB/GYN. Yifei wants a baby. Yifei is barren. What crueler irony is there for a baby doctor who can’t have a baby? One that tasks her with ensuring a safe, happy, and healthy delivery for her formerly estranged younger sister, Max. barren is the story of two sisters navigating two entirely different fates in finding, creating, and embracing family.
Thursdays Come at Morning by Lee Cataluna, original story by Les J.N. Mau
Saturday, August 3, 3:00 p.m.
Two brokenhearted men meet and form a connection while visiting the graves of their loved ones. Howard has returned home to Honolulu from NYC to be caregiver to his dying father, a man who never accepted him. Sam has recently lost his husband. The two face the question of how to live fully when your best days seem to be behind you, but you realize you still have love to give.
CALF SCRAMBLE by Libby Carr
Saturday, August 3, 7:30 p.m.
In a barn outside Huntsville, Texas, five Future Farmers of America raise and ruin their prize-winning calves. But the casual brutality of the show cattle world heaves this herd of teenagers into an adolescent transformation of their own. Calf Scramble is a raucous rodeo of girls playing God — wrestling for power over their animals, their bodies, and each other.
¡VOS! by Christina Pumariega
Sunday, August 4, 11:00 a.m.
Annie returns to her estranged birthplace of Buenos Aires to undergo IVF treatments from the famed Dr. Cossi. But her motherhood journey brings to light the lives of two women lost to the Dirty War decades ago. ¡VOS! is an exhilarating hunt for home, family, and the Disappeared; inspired by Las Madres—past, present and hopeful—and told by two Latina actors spinning as fast as they can.
IN CONVERSATION
Sunday, August 4, 1:30 p.m.
A discussion with the 2024 Festival playwrights led by OPC Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen.
The Ceremony by Mfoniso Udofia
Sunday, August 4, 3:00 p.m.
Ekong Ufot, the youngest child of Abasiama and Disciple Ufot, has found the woman of his dreams but hasn’t told his father. Urged by his fiancé, Ekong visits his father to ask for a marriage heirloom but leaves empty-handed. Discouraged, he decides to move forward without his father. As the wedding approaches, Disciple prepares to emerge with gifts, hoping that maybe he can be a better father than his own.
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. We look forward to seeing you in Ojai!
OPC FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
This all-access pass includes preferred seating for all events (Thursday-Sunday, August 1-4), an exclusive champagne toast with the artists before the first performance on Friday evening, and the option to include a meal between performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Events include In Celebration on Thursday evening, five performances throughout the weekend, and In Conversation, a discussion with the 2024 playwrights, between the two readings on Sunday.
$320: all events w/o meals
$400: all events w/meals (Reserve by July 27)
A DAY WITH OPC
This one-day pass includes preferred seating for all events on Saturday, August 3: two performances (3:00 pm and 7:00 pm); OR for all events on Sunday, August 4: two performances (11:00 am and 3:00 pm) and In Conversation, a discussion with the 2024 playwrights, in between the two readings.
$80: day pass w/o meal
$120: day pass w/meal (Reserve by July 27)
SINGLE TICKETS: PAY WHAT YOU CAN
We believe that the power of theater lies in its collective experience. And in the development of a new play, the opportunity to have a broader audience witness the work can make a significant impact.
To provide access for a more expansive audience, we are again thrilled to share that all single tickets for the 2024 Festival are donation-based, or PAY WHAT YOU CAN.
We are grateful to our single-ticket buyers who pay the suggested donation of $30 (or more) when making their reservation, as well as to our Festival passholders. Your generosity helps cover the cost of others who pay what they can.
Single tickets are general admission and available here.