OUR MISSION

Seven Devils supports the development of plays that embrace the diverse landscape of the American experience. By inviting audiences to participate in the new play development process, we empower artists and audiences to have a greater stake in each other’s success; create opportunities for dialogue that broadens our understanding of ourselves and others; and fuel the creation of work that reflects, challenges and celebrates us. We have a special interest in underserved and rural writers

OUR PROJECTS

Seven Devils Playwrights Conference

Now entering its 20th year, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference is a two-week Conference that brings playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, actors & theater artists from around the country, and from every walk of life, to McCall, Idaho for 2 weeks of rehearsals, readings and workshops of new plays. The Conference also includes plays written by area high school students, a free playwriting workshop led by a renowned featured artist and an internship program for college students. Plays are selected through an open submission process. For more information on submitting your work for consideration, look here. 

Bridgeworks

Bridgeworks supports writers as they bridge the gap from development to production. This program is open to all Seven Devils Playwrights. The type of support offered depends on the needs of the playwright and the project that is envisioned. Past Bridgeworks projects have supported playwrights pursuing production, touring, publishing and reading opportunities. Learn more about Bridgeworks projects HERE.

id-iots at Play

​​id-iots at Play offers Seven Devils playwrights a format for coming together to read and hear new material, and support each other by using the philosophies and methods of the Playwrights Conference as a guide post for their feedback and discussion. 

The first id-iots at Play group, led by playwright Bob Kerr, has been meeting bi-monthly in New York City for more than a decade. Groups in other cities are in the works. Lear more HERE.

Private Idaho

Since 2017 these self directed retreats have given Alumni playwrights an opportunity to return to McCall during the Conference to work at their own speed while being inspired by the work around them. 

Frances Starr Todd Design Fellowship

Established in 2017, with the support of Mrs. Todd’s family, the Frances Starr Todd Fellowship honors long-time friend and supporter of id Theater/Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Frances (Fay) Starr Todd who passed away in 2014. Fay had a special interest in arts education and the active inclusion of student artists in the development process.  
Learn more HERE.

Sit In! Readings

Launched in 2007, NYC Sit-In! was monthly reading series that offered artists who have worked with us a venue to hear rewrites, polish up old plays or hear new works for the very first time at the Back Room at Jimmy’s No. 43 in New York City.
​With the closing of Jimmy's No. 43, the Sit In! series is now on hiatus.

OUR STORY

Renamed in 2020, Seven Devils New Play Foundry started life as id Theatre, Inc, a producing company founded in 1997 by Sheila McDevitt and Simon Brooking. For three years, id Theatre produced plays in McCall at the Alpine Playhouse in McCall, Idaho and then transferred them to New York City.

In 2001, Jeni Mahoney and Paula Marchiel joined the company and Seven Devils Playwrights Conference was born. By 2007, the Conference had not only become the company’s largest, most recognizable project; it had become the guide and touchstone for our new identity as a play development organization. The decision to do business as Seven Devils New Play Foundry puts us in closer alignment with our mission.

Today, Seven Devils has developed more than 250 new plays, by Pulitzer Prize-winners, emerging writers, high school students and everything in between, through a variety of programs aimed at supporting and empowering playwrights to do their best work free from the pressures and concerns of full production.

More than 60% of those plays have gone on to full production on Broadway and at venues around the country including: The Humana Festival/Actors Theater of Louisville, Roundabout Theatre, Denver Center, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Barrington Stage Company, Chicago’s Gift Theater, Kitchen Theater, Montana Rep and Boise Contemporary Theater, among many others. You can learn more about the lives of plays beyond their time with us on our Post Development Developments Page.

Seven Devils does not fully produce any work, plays are presented publicly, always in-process and free of charge.