New Works
About
Paramount New Works
Supporting artists in the development of illuminating theatrical work.
Paramount Theatre has a passion and a commitment to not only to produce sensational musicals and thought-provoking plays on our stages, but also to contribute to the national catalog of new theatrical works by offering developmental support and resources to artists in the creation of their work, fostering growth and connection to our expanding audience base and community.
Through our new work development series, the Spark Lab Series, Paramount partners with writers, composers, and other artists to support them in developing new works in progress in a variety of genres. It is committed to providing a safe, creative, collaborative and flexible environment to address the specific needs of a new work in its journey from page to production, both for our stages and stages across the country and world.
OUR PURPOSE
- To support artists in the creation of new and fresh narratives from a variety of perspectives through workshops, readings, and public presentations of the work.
- To demystify and expand appreciation for the incubation of new works by inviting the audience to participate in the process.
- To foster community dialogue that encourages expansive imaginations and broad views of people and the world.
- To establish and nurture partnerships with local, national, and international collaborators.
The Spark Lab
The Spark Lab Series
Launched in 2025, the Spark Lab was an incubation program for new, original, theatrical works that supported emerging as well as established artists through a week-long developmental workshop residency culminating in a public showcase of the work-in-progress. This program is currently on hiatus.
This program aimed to create a healthy environment and creative playground for new plays, musicals, and other genre-defying theatrical experiences to develop and thrive, while honoring each project’s and artist’s specific goals. During the submission window, we accepted proposals for plays, musicals, or other theatrical “experiences” (puppetry, physical theatre, multi-media theatre, immersive storytelling, etc.) to be reviewed for developmental opportunities throughout the year.
The Spark Lab Series is supported through funding by individual donors as well as the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation.
Blood of my mother’s
February 8th, 2025
A play by Karissa Murrell Myers, Directed by Denise Yvette Serna
On Christmas Eve 1997, pregnant Marina fled to her older sister Lillian’s house in the middle of the night with the biggest problem she ever faced: an unwanted pregnancy. After giving birth, Marina abandons the baby Egg in her sister’s care, much to the concern of Lillian’s husband, Richard. Now sixteen years later, Egg has gone missing and no one seems to care but her sister/cousin Deanna. The search for the truth turns this Filipino -American family’s world upside down as they are forced to face their inner demons. Because sometimes, the place you run to for safety turns out to be the most dangerous place of all.
The King’s Wife
March 14th, 2025
A story by Mêlisa Annis, Jamie Floyd, and Jennifer Kranz. Directed by Tamilla Woodard.
With music and lyrics by three-time Grammy nominated songwriter Jamie Floyd and a book by award-winning playwright Mêlisa Annis, The King’s Wife is an imaginative retelling of the story of Queen Katherine of Aragon and her ladies in waiting at the Tudor Court. It’s a narrative centered around love, power and politics as they navigate a world that requires courage and friendship when faced with extraordinary challenges and loss. Directed by Tamilla Woodard. Arrangements by Jamie Floyd and Jared Stein. Music Supervision by Jared Stein. Produced by special arrangement with Jennifer Kranz.
MIJA A NEW MUSICAL
May 17th, 2025
A story by Evynne Hollens & Rebecca Touriño Collinsworth. Co-Directed by Wendy Mateo and Denise Yvette Serna.
Mija is an original bilingual musical in development, featuring music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning Gaby Moreno and Portland singer-songwriter Anna Gilbert, with a book by Broadway artist Evynne Hollens and Seattle playwright Rebecca Touriño Collinsworth. Inspired by the true story of a Latin American woman reconnecting with her roots, Mija explores themes of identity, womanhood, and the complexities of family.
MIJA es un musical bilingüe original en desarrollo, con música y letras de la ganadora del Grammy Gaby Moreno y la cantautora de Portland Anna Gilbert, con libreto de la artista de Broadway Evynne Hollens y la dramaturga de Seattle Rebecca Touriño Collinsworth. Inspirado en la historia real de una mujer latinoamericana que reconecta con sus raíces, MIJA explora temas de identidad, feminidad y las complejidades de la familia.
THE BLOCK
September 11 & 13, 2025
Written by Michael Yates Crowley. Directed by Michael Rau.
“Hello Neighbor!”
You’re invited to the inaugural meeting of the Oak Street Block Association, a group of civic-minded neighbors aiming to rally cooperative spirit for the common good…if anyone can agree on what that means. Join the email chain and meet the neighborhood during this thought-provoking, interactive experience where the audience influences the story, building a fledgling democracy in real time.
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines for New Works
Paramount is not accepting New Works submissions at this time.