New Work Development | History Theatre

New Work Development

Since 1978 History Theatre has produced over 100 world premieres.

For more information about our new play development program, email New Works Associate Laura Leffler at lleffler@historytheatre.com.

For information about Submitting a Script | History Theatre for consideration.

History Theatre's World Premieres

(In reverse chronological order)

  1. The Defeat of Jesse James by Jeffrey Hatcher, music & lyrics by Chan Poling, 2022-2023
  2. Diesel Heart by Brian Grandison, 2022-2023
  3. The Root Beer Lady by Kim Schultz, 2022-2023
  4. Runestone! A Rock Musical  book & lyrics by Mark Jensen, music by Gary Rue, 2021-2022
  5. Parks by Harrison David Rivers, 2021-2022
  6. Not for Sale by Kim Hines and Barbara Teed, 2021-2022
  7. Not in our Neighborhood! by Tom Fabel and Eric Wood, 2021-2022
  8. Superman Becomes Lois Lane by Susan Kimberly, 2019-2020
  9. Stewardess! by Kira Obolensky, 2018-2019
  10. Sisters of Peace by Doris Baizley, 2018-2019
  11. Dirty Business book and lyrics by Laurie Flanigan Hegge, music by Robert Elhai, 2018-2019
  12. A Crack in the Sky by Harrison David Rivers and Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, 2017-2018
  13. Dance 'Til You Drop by Carson Kreitzer in collaboration with Collide Theatrical Dance Company, 2017-2018
  14. Lord Gordon Gordon by Jeffrey Hatcher, music and lyrics by Chan Poling, 2017-2018
  15. Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story by Bob Beverage, music by George Mauer, 2016-2017
  16. The Highwaymen by Josh Wilder, 2016-2017
  17. The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin by Jessica Huang, 2016-2017
  18. Sweet Land, the Musical by Perrin Post and Laurie Flanigan Hegge, 2016-2017
  19. Glensheen by Jeffrey Hatche, music and lyrics by Chan Poling, 2015-2016
  20. George Bonga: Black Voyageur by Carlyle Brown, 2015-2016
  21. Complicated Fun: The Minneapolis Music Scene by Alan Berks, 2016-2016
  22. Radio Man by Garrison Keillor, 2014-2015
  23. God Girl by Kristine Holmgren, 2014-2015
  24. The Debutante's Ball by Eric "Pogi" Sumangil 2014-2015
  25. The Working Boys Band book and lyrics by Dominic Orlando, music by Hiram Titus, 2013–2014
  26. Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried Jim Stowell, 2013–2014
  27. The Incredible Season of Ronnie Rabinovitz Eric Simonson, 2013–2014
  28. Courting Harry Lee Blessing, 2012–2013
  29. Nellie by Kim Hines, 2012–2013
  30. Coco's Diary by Bob Beverage & Ron Peluso, 2011–2012
  31. 1968: The Year That Rocked the World by Playwrights’ Center members Reginald Edmund, Christina Ham, Kim Hines, Kevin Kautzman, Dominic Orlando, Mat Smart, and Rhiana Yazzie, 2011–2012
  32. American as Curry Pie by Aamera Siddiqui, 2010–2011
  33. A Tale of Twin Cities by Kevin Kling, 2010–2011
  34. Adrift on the Mississippi by Brian A. Grandison, 2010–2011
  35. Dudley: Rigged for Laughter! by Caleb McEwen, Dane Stauffer, & John Sweeney, 2010–2011
  36. Queens of Burlesque by David Mann, 2009–2010
  37. Sister Kenny's Children by Doris Baizley, 2009–2010
  38. Tyrone & Ralph by Jeffrey Hatcher, 2008–2009
  39. Blue Collar Diaries by Michelle Meyers Berg, 2008–2009
  40. 20 Days to Find a Wife by Laurie Flanigan and Marya Hart, 2008–2009
  41. Hormel Girls by Laurie Flanigan and Hiram Titus, 2007-2008
  42. Kirby by Syl Jones, 2007-2008
  43. Wellstone! by Mark Rosenwinkel and Larry Long, 2006-2007
  44. Lutefisk Champ & Other Frozen Holiday Tales by David Mann and others, 2006-2007
  45. 100 Men's Wife by Jeany Park, 2006-2007
  46. The Baron by Cory McLeod, 2006-2007
  47. Snapshots: Life in the City by J. D. Steele, David Grant and others, 2005-2006
  48. Chopsticks, Band-Aids & Johnny Unitas by Nancy Bagshaw-Reasoner, Cathy Gasiorowicz and Maria Cheng, 2005-2006
  49. Sons of the Bedtime Nooz by Peter and Andy Moore, 2004-2005
  50. Fireball: The Great Hinckely Fire Project by Roger Nieboer, Peter Ostroushko and Joe Chvala, 2004-2005
  51. Christmas of Swing by Beverage, Jan Puffer, David Lohman and Ron Peluso, 2004-2005
  52. Beyond the Rainbow by William Randall Beard and David Lohman, 2004-2005
  53. Joe by Jim Stowell, 2003-2004
  54. Hiding in the Open by Kira Obolensky based on Sabina Zimering’s memoir, 2003-2004
  55. Grand Excursion: The Musical by Barbara Field and Hiram Titus, 2003-2004
  56. Under the Stars & Stripes: Stories of WWII by multiple writers, 2002-2003
  57. The Christmas Schooner by Julie Shannon and John Reeger, 2002-2003
  58. Revelations of Mann by David Mann, 2002-2003
  59. Main Street by Craig Wright, 2002-2003
  60. The Runaway Learning Machine (tour) by Mark Rosenwinkel, 2002-2003
  61. Summer in the Shadoes by Kim Hines, 2001-2002
  62. The Fierce Clockwork of Destiny by John Olive, 2001-2002
  63. In Coya’s House by Jenna Zark, 2001-2002
  64. Sisters of Swing by Bob Beverage and Beth Gilleland, 2001-2002
  65. Meet Me at the Fair by Patty Lynch, 2000-2001
  66. Christmas in Swede Hollow by Buffy Sedlachek, 2000-2001
  67. Eternity by Ann Schulman, 2000-2001
  68. Watermelon Hill by Lily Baber-Coyle, 2000-2001
  69. Los Rumbaleros by Maya Lopez-Sanatmaria, 2000-2001
  70. Trail of the Wind by Roger Nieboer, 2000-2001
  71. First Ladies of Ramsey County by Dana Gillespie, 1999-2000
  72. Hush Hush by Lee Vang, 1999-2000
  73. Rez Road 2000 by Jim Northrup, 1999-2000
  74. A Piece of the Rope by Jeffrey Hatcher, 1999-2000
  75. The Gangster Musical by Drew Jansen and David Hawley, 1999-2000
  76. Hmong! The CIA's Secret Army by Lee Vang and Jaime Meyer, 1998-1999
  77. Axel & His Dog by Don Stolz, 1998-1999
  78. Ophan Train  by Patty Lynch and Charlie Maguire, 1998-1999
  79. Swede Hollow by Buffy Sedlachek, 1998-1999
  80. Tailgatin’ by Dan Rowles and Guy Greene, 1997-1998    
  81. Three Rivers Meeting by Jim Stowell, 1997-1998    
  82. Conversations about Hannah by Ann Schulman, 1997-1998    
  83. Song Catcher by Marcie Rendon, 1997-1998    
  84. Let Heaven and Nature Sing by Bob Beverage – produced in collaboration with InterAct Theater of Minneapolis, 1996-1997
  85. A Servants’ Christmas by John Fenn and Drew Jansen, 1996-1997
  86. Tomboy Stone by Roger Nieboer, 1996-1997
  87. Cuba Si! by Jim Stowell, 1996-1997
  88. Favorite Son: The Humphrey Perspectives by Jeffrey Hatcher, John Olive, David Hawley and Kim Hines, 1996-1997
  89. The Brotherhood by Syl Jones, 1995-1996
  90. Inner-City Opera by J. D. Steele and others, 1995-1996
  91. Civil Ceremony by Beth Gilleland, 1995-1996
  92. Plain Heart by Lance Bellville and Eric Peltonemi, 1994-1995
  93. Everlasting Arms by Gregory Alan-Williams, 1993-1994
  94. Some Things that Can Go Wrong at 35,000 Feet by John Orlock, 1993-1994
  95. Ollie From Laughterville by Lance Belville, 1992-1993   
  96. The Life and Times of Deacon A.L. Wiley by Gregory Alan-Williams, 1992-1993   
  97. Days of Rondo by Gregory Alan-Williams, 1992-1993   
  98. Scum City by David Hawley, 1991-1992
  99. Through the Wheat by Thomas Olsen, 1991-1992
  100. Another Minnesotan Onstage by multiple writers, 1991-1992
  101. Irish Stew by Frank McCourt, 1991-1992
  102. Small Town Triumphs and Cowboy Colors by Bart Sutter and Paul Zarzyski, 1991-1992
  103. Last Hooch at the Hollyhocks by Lance Belville, 1990–1991
  104. Tree of Memory II by multiple writers, 1990–1991
  105. Selkirk Avenue by Bruce McMannus, 1990–1991
  106. Gaze at the Stars II by Lance Belville, 1990–1991
  107. A Couple of Blaguards by Frank and Malachy McCourt, 1990-1991
  108. Cowgirls by Lance Belville, 1989–1990
  109. A Time on Earth by Vilhelm Moberg, 1989–1990
  110. Nina! The Musical by Lance Belville, 1989–1990
  111. Mesabi Red by Lance Belville and Charlie Maguire, 1989–1990
  112. Homegrown Heroes by multiple writers, 1989–1990
  113. Catching On by Lance Belville, 1989–1990
  114. Logan Township No. 13 by Lance Belville, 1988–1989
  115. Tree of Memory by David Hawley, Nancy Bagshaw Reasoner, George Sand, 1988–1989
  116. Mid-Winter Light by John Louis Anderson, 1987-1988
  117. Gold in the Streets by Marie Jones, 1987-1988
  118. Somewhere over the Balcony by Marie Jones, 1987-1988
  119. St. Paul Suite by Tom Poole, 1987-1988
  120. Down to Earth by Lance S. Belville, 1986-1987
  121. Dogs in the Hot Moon by Lance S. Belville, 1986-1987
  122. Exile From Main Street by Lance S. Belville, 1985-1986
  123. Quiet, Wyatt! by Leslie Brody, 1985-1986
  124. Speed by Lance S. Belville, 1985-1986
  125. Kingdom Come by Amlin Gray, 1984–1985
  126. Tubal and the Yankee by Lance S. Belville, 1984–1985
  127. Mr. L. N. Scott’s All New Grand Holiday Bill of Fare by John Orlock, 1983-1984
  128. Scott and Zelda: The Beautiful Fools by Lance S. Belville, 1982-1983
  129. Johnny’s My Darling and a Union Volunteer by Lance S. Belville, 1982-1983
  130. The Lady Knight by John Fenn, 1982-1983
  131. Homesick by Lance S. Belville, 1982-1983
  132. Children of Tyrone by Lance S. Belville, 1981-1982
  133. You Can’t Get to Heaven through the U.S.A. by Lance S. Belville, 1981-1982
  134. For Amber Waves of Grain, but Undistilled by Lance S. Belville, 1981-1982
  135. Nina! Madam to a Saintly City by Lance S. Belville, 1980-1981
  136. Four Hearts and the Lords of the North by Lance S. Belville, 1980-1981
  137. Deadly Decades by Lance S. Belville, 1979–1980
  138. We Win or Bust by Lance S. Belville, 1979–1980
  139. Bronko by Lance S. Belville, 1979–1980
  140. The Man Who Bought Minneapolis by Lance S. Belville, 1978–1979