A weekend to celebrate new work and the creative spirit
Over the course of the last 16 years, The Orchard Project has supported over 300 new productions in various forms of development, including the creation pieces that have moved to Broadway such as ALL THE WAY, AMELIE: THE MUSICAL, and 33 VARIATIONS, award winning work such as AN OCTOROON and THE ALIENS, and works by the likes of Taylor Mac, Young Jean Lee, Rachel Chavkin, Annie Baker, Jeremy O Harris, Savion Glover, Esperanza Spalding, and many more.
Once again, in 2024, we are expanding upon a tradition of local events that began with the likes of Ben Folds, Esperanza Spalding, Savion Glover, and Alan Cumming – inviting artists at the forefront of storytelling to share their work, process, and sources of inspiration. The Orchard Project Festival weekend will include work-in-progress showings of new work and free workshops, concerts, and conversations that share a joy of storytelling, creativity, and process that the Orchard Project is well known for.
ALL EVENTS IN THE WEEKEND ARE FREE. Join us for some or all of the events in this weekend, and by joining, support the next generation of work that will grace stages and screens around the country. Any donor of The Orchard Project at our Member level ($100) gains special access to each events in the weekend.
Want to join? While tickets for all events are FREE, Orchard Project supporters get the best seats and some cool perks!
RSVP below to join for any of our events as part of the OP Festival Weekend. If you want to join for our cocktail and special events (like the VIP event at SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, become a supporting "Member" of the Orchard Project and making a tax deductible donation at a $100 level or higher.
BECOME A MEMBER AND GET BEST ACCESSRSVP FOR SEATS NOWSupport the Orchard Project Today
The work of the Orchard Project — providing innovative companies and diverse artists a safe space to create the country’s most original dramatic work — would not be possible without the generous support of our community.
JOIN US TODAYHOW TO ATTEND
There are two ways to attend events during the Orchard Project Festival:
1. Become a supporting “Member” of The Orchard Project with a tax deductible donation of anything above $100 and you can be assured you can see everything in the weekend. Donors at the Member level receive the ability to reserve priority seating for all events, and donors at higher levels receive the ability to bring guests to events and best available seating.
2. Want to come and don’t want to donate? No worries – all of our events are free based on availability. Reserve Individual Seats for various events through our form, and we will confirm availability with you shortly after. (Please note, you can also purchase BBQ only dinner tickets if you are not a supporter, but you must put through our RSVP form first).
If, at ANY time, you need help figuring out how to attend any part of the weekend, we are here — email us at info@orchardproject.com or call us at 646 676 6767.
THE 2024 SCHEDULE
| THURSDAY JULY 11 | |
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6pm @ Tang Museum |
Future of Broadway (Upbeat on the Roof) |
| FRIDAY JULY 12 | |
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6pm @ The Inn at Saratoga |
Work-in-Progress Showing: Fiasco Theatre |
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8:30pm @ The Inn at Saratoga |
Work-in-Progress Showing: The Haunting of Shirley Jackson |
| SATURDAY JULY 13 | |
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7pm @ Saratoga Winery |
Concert and Party: Safety Not Guaranteed – A New Musical |
THE 2024 SHOWS
WORK-IN-PROGRESS SHARING
SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED
Music and lyrics by Ryan Miller of the band Guster, Book by Nick Blaemire, Directed by Lee Sunday Evans, Based on the film written by Derek Connolly
@ SARATOGA WINERY
Saturday 7/13 at 7:00pm
FREE//SPECIAL VIP SEATING AND RECEPTION FOR OP MEMBERS
When Darius, an entry-level journalist, sets out to report her first story about a classified advertisement offering the opportunity to go back in time, she begins an odd and endearing relationship with Kenneth, the eccentric man who placed the ad. From two-time Obie Award-winning theater director Lee Sunday Evans (Home, Farmhouse/Whorehouse, Dance Nation, Oratorio for Living Things) comes a unique live interpretation of the beloved indie movie, adapted for the stage by Nick Blaemire (Glory Days, Space Dogs).
CONCERT AND TAILGATE
THE FUTURE OF BROADWAY
a cocktail and musical evening showcasing new work by The Orchard Project's 2024 composers in residence
@ TANG MUSEUM
Thursday 7/11 at 6:00pm
FREE//SPECIAL TAILGATE FOR OP MEMBERS
The Orchard Project is where many shows start, including a number of Broadway musicals (Amelie, and the upcoming Female Troubles and Bhangin’ It). In 2024, we’ve invited some of the brightest voices in the industry to write their next big show in Saratoga Springs. Join us for an intimate evening of amazing new musical theatre with the greatest talents in the biz.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS SHARING
FIASCO THEATRE
@ The Inn at Saratoga
Friday 7/12 at 6:00pm
FREE//RESERVED SEATING FOR OP MEMBERS
In 2024, The Orchard Project will be hosting its first Company in Residence, the award-winning Fiasco Theater, for the majority of the season in Saratoga Springs. Join for this last evening as Fiasco shared work from various new pieces in development.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS SHARING
THE HAUNTING OF SHIRLEY JACKSON
written by Kate Walat, directed by GT Upchurch, starring Cassie Beck
@ The Inn at Saratoga
Friday 7/12 at 8:30pm
FREE//RESERVED SEATING FOR OP MEMBERS
Legendary writer Shirley Jackson (“The Lottery”) is haunted by her past, present, and ever-disapproving mother Geraldine, as a mysterious Visitor appears in her Vermont garret, beckoning her on a late-night drive, abandoning typewriter and all.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Sunday, June 23:
Open Rehearsal Day; Session 1
Skidmore College
Monday, July 1:
Open Rehearsal Day; Session 2
Skidmore College
Tuesday, July 2:
Open Rehearsal: Fiasco Theater Company
Skidmore College
Monday, July 8 – Wednesday, July 10:
Workshops for College-Aged Students + Professionals: Rehearsing Shakespeare
One of our resident companies, Fiasco, is teaching this FREE course for college students and lifelong learners.
Please email ashley@fiascotheater.com by Sunday, June 30th to register.
Saratoga Arts; Mon – Wed, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Monday, July 29:*Note New Time
Bloodstock to Broadway
Join the Orchard Project for this exciting event, where world class culture and thoroughbred racing overlap. Learn about upcoming projects and investment trends in bloodstock and Broadway during Saratoga’s hottest season.
The Coat Room; 6:00 PM