LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Presents Rough Draft Festival 2026

Annual festival showcases bold new theatrical works in development from emerging artists

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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For over two decades, the Rough Draft Festival at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) in Queens has offered audiences an early look at innovative new theatrical productions in the making. This year's festival, running from March 10-19, 2026, will feature five works-in-progress selected through a competitive review process, as well as a returning guest artist, representing a diverse range of voices and performance styles.

Why it matters

The Rough Draft Festival provides crucial support and exposure for emerging playwrights, performers, and theater-makers in New York City, serving as an important incubator for the next generation of bold, ambitious theatrical work. By opening up the creative process to the public, the festival fosters engagement between artists, audiences, and the wider performing arts community.

The details

The 2026 Rough Draft Festival lineup includes a choreopoem, a musical theater piece, an experimental performance, and more, reflecting the festival's commitment to nurturing a wide range of theatrical forms and perspectives. Each work-in-progress will receive financial support, rehearsal space, and the opportunity to receive feedback from industry professionals and the public before further development.

  • The Rough Draft Festival will run from March 10-19, 2026.
  • The festival will present one work-in-progress per night from March 10-14 and March 18-19.

The players

LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC)

A cultural hub located at LaGuardia Community College that fosters artistic excellence, education, and community engagement through diverse programming and by providing a platform for dynamic artists and storytellers.

Rough Draft Festival

An annual festival hosted by LPAC that offers a first public view of bold new theatrical work in development, serving as a proving ground for writers and performance-makers in Queens and New York City.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Rough Draft Festival 2026 are now available, with free admission for students and $10 general admission. Audience members can RSVP or purchase tickets through the LPAC box office.

The takeaway

The Rough Draft Festival continues to be an invaluable resource for emerging artists in New York City, providing crucial support, exposure, and a platform for experimentation that helps shape the future of theatrical storytelling.