The Lab provides a protected environment, without the pressure of production, and an ensemble of professional actors and resource artists to help shape work. The process is tailored to the project's individual needs and stage of development, including text analysis, readings, blocking and movement rehearsals, music rehearsals, and private presentations to the assembled artistic community. The Artistic Staff comprises writers, directors, dramaturgs and other artists who provide feedback on text and direction. The Sundance Theatre Laboratory is held in July at Sundance in Utah. The physical resources at Sundance include four rehearsal rooms, a writing room, a music room, and literally thousands of acres of magnificent mountain scenery.
Projects rehearse every other day to give playwrights adequate time for re-writes.
Actors are usually double cast. Although no lighting or scenic production values are available to assist in project development, designers often participate as part of the development of text. We welcome projects at any stage of development, but usually look for work that is ready to be explored, at least in part, on its feet. We encourage artists to share their exploration with other Theatre Lab colleagues by opening their rehearsal process to one another. The Sundance Theatre Laboratory selects up to eight projects per year.