20th Annual
La MaMa Umbria International Playwright Retreat
September 3 – 13, 2026
During the 10-day Program, playwrights will participate in workshops with a Renowned Playwright, have time to work on their own writing and share with other participants. Playwrights may visit La MaMa Spoleto Open and other Umbrian cultural sites.
Accommodation, meals and local transport are included in the fee.
Read FAQ for more details.
Playwrights are welcome to spend their summer with La MaMa Umbria International in beautiful Spoleto, Italy. The selected group of playwrights will participate in writing workshops led by an award-winning playwright while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the Italian countryside. Past workshop leaders include Branden Jacob-Jenkins, Mac Wellman, Lynn Nottage, and Lisa Kron.
Notes from Participants:
“Playwrights, if you need inspiration, and a change of pace and place to write your next work…..participate in next year’s retreat under the Umbrian sun.”
— Chay Yew
“The week I spent there a while ago, with Lisa Kron as the teacher, was one of the best experiences I ever had. I remember sitting on the hill and crying with happiness. I love seeing this group of people having the same creative, joyous, magical experience.”
— Andrea Reese
“As I reflect back on our time with you, I am so grateful for the transformative nature of the work, the questioning, and community-building. Your care and ability to intuit what I needed to be asked, hear, and think about are still impacting me as I consider what might be next. Thank youuuuu!”
— Mina Morita
“Sitting in the airport in Rome waiting to return to my NYC & Reflecting on the beauty of LaMaMa Umbria. What will I miss? Elisa’s delicious cooking. Her pizza cooked in a 500 year old oven is delicious, beyond words. The workshop space where we would share our creative work was infused with the spirit & guidance of Ellen Stewart. Loved sitting with a glass of vino drinking the beauty of the rolling hills and fields of olive trees. Good bye La MaMa Umbria International. Till we meet again … my dreams will be infused with the delights I have experienced for the last ten days.”
— Joan Kane
La MaMa Umbria Symposium and Retreat FAQ
How is it decided who will be accepted into the Programs?
The applications are considered on the basis of the responses to the questions on your resume and the Application Form: why is this Program appropriate for you and what do you hope to get out of it? Once the Application has been vetted, and approved, the participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If the Program is filled up, there is a Waiting List you can join.
How does the Waiting List work?
If a Program fills up, we will let you know and put you on the Wait List. If someone drops out, we will go to the next person on the List and offer them that spot. This could happen any time up to a week prior to the start of the Program. If you decide not to wait, please let us know and we will remove your name from the List.
Should I wait until I have been accepted prior to sending in my deposit?
You can wait until you receive an acceptance letter, but we will not reserve your spot until we receive your deposit. If you send your deposit and are not accepted, you will receive a full refund (except for credit card fees.)
What is the Application deadline for the Playwright and Directing programs?
Please check with us to see if there is still space. We will have a waiting list for those who wish to wait to see if someone who applied decides not to attend.
If I pay the Deposit and find that I cannot attend, willI get a refund?
You will get a full refund if you cancel by May 15th, except for the credit card fee.
When is the Full Payment due?
Full payment is due by June 1st.
If I pay the Full Payment and then I find I cannot come, will I get a Refund?
You will get a Full Refund (except for Credit Card charges) if we have a Waiting List and we can find someone to take your spot. If not, you will get a 50% Refund if you let us know by June 15th. After June 15th, there are no Refunds.
Is there a way to pay where I won’t incur Credit Card charges?
Yes, you can pay by check, made out to La MaMa ETC and mailed to: La MaMa ETC, Umbria Programs, 66 East Fourth Street, New York, NY 10003, USA. There are no additional fees. You can also pay by bank transfer or Zelle. There are no additional fees to us, but your bank may charge you a fee. Speak to our Business Manager to arrange for a bank transfer: kiku@lamama.org.
Many of our international artists cannot afford to make the trip to Umbria. We offer limited financial assistance to disadvantaged artists from countries that have had little to no representation in our residency programs. It costs approximately $5,000 for the entire trip, which includes admission fee, accommodation, meals, workshops, and international travel for one participant. All donations will help us achieve this goal. In addition, we are continually upgrading our facilities to provide the best possible experience for the attendees. We need funds to cover the cost of maintaining La MaMa Umbria, a 700 year-old structure, while adding modern technology to allow more diverse performance creation.
