Todd Ristau
Your expert in New play development
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"The process of new play development is the gradual transition from being the caretaker of an inspiration to being the caretaker of an audience's experience"
Hi, I’m Todd Ristau
I’m an experienced theatre maker who is passionate about helping people turn ideas into stories and then turn stories into plays.
Every play you ever heard of was a new play once, and they all needed help getting out of someone's head, onto the page, and in front of an audience.
I'm not here to fix anything--you and your play aren't broken. I'm simply here to help you get better at doing what you want to do and help your play get better at being what it wants to be.
Your Personal Dramaturg
30+ years of experience as playwright, performer, director, and producer
Distinguished graduate of the Iowa Playwrights Workshop
Founding Artistic Director of Midwest Center for Developing Artists and Studio Roanoke
Worked with, performed in, and produced by theatres ranging from church basements all the way to London's West End
Created No Shame Theatre, called by Bob Moss "a national Caffe Cino"
Led new works programming at Mill Mountain Theatre from 2003 to 2009
30 years teaching theatre at both the graduate and undergraduate level
Created and led the Playwright's Lab at Hollins University from 2006 to 2025
Many years in leadership with SETC and KCACTF (Region IV)
Honors include the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for excellence in theatre education and Kendig Award for excellence in arts and culture
Member of the Lambs, Dramatists Guild, and LMDA
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Upcoming events
October 21-25
I will be attending the VTA conference this year as a judge for the High School One-Act Play Festival Finals. I will also be adjudicating the musical theatre auditions and offering written feedback to the student performers who will be auditioning
Jan 22 - 24, 2027 Jan 29 - 31, 2027
I will be directing this hilarious, family friendly comedy by my former student Ben Abbott for the Community Players of Salisbury.
Past events
August 31-December 18
I will be joining the theatre faculty at Salisbury University as adjunct faculty to teach one section of an undergraduate theatre appreciation course primarily for non-majors. Very exciting to have this opportunity to resume teaching, but also to build stronger connections to an expanding community of theatre artists and audiences here in my new home town.
Students will get an introduction to dramaturgy by doing a systematic close reading of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and BUDDIES by Ben Abbott. Students will get an introduction to playwriting by splitting into groups of four and co-writing an original play as a "commission" guided by a self-generated and agreed upon collaboration agreement. Once finished, the six groups will exchange plays to produce and perform them as their final project.
August 21-24
Proclamation Theatre in Christiansburg, VA presents original works that explore American history with a special focus given to stories about Southwest Virginia--the many legends and myths of Appalachia and the lives of people who love this part of the world.
The festival highlights new plays by local playwrights on those themes.
I'll be attending as a guest respondent.
Also, my own play, The Verbena Rowan Museum, will be one of the featured plays!
August 19
I will be returning to The Barter Theatre to work with educators participating in their Young Playwrights Festival and to conduct a playwriting workshop designed to help teachers more effectively incorporate playwriting techniques across the curriculum.
April 11
As part of our Discovery Series, we're bringing this remarkable one-woman show to Salisbury for one night only!
The Brick Room (116 N. Division St.)April 11th @7 PM sharpOne night only/Only 50 seats$20 (includes $10 food and beverage voucher)For tickets call (434) 358-5092
February 19-25
Since 1933, Barter Theatre has been developing new works and nurturing area talent. The AFPP has gained national attention by developing a process that has resulted in new plays being produced not only on Barter’s stages, but in regional theatres across the country.
I've been a regular guest respondent at the AFPP since 2023 and will be there again this year. This festival is one of the best new play experiences anyone can have--whether as a playwright, actor, performer, director, or audience member. Come join us and be part of something truly exciting!
February 6
In 1986 I parked my pickup truck in the theatre parking lot of the University of Iowa, and called it No Shame Theatre. Since then, it has spread across the country like theatrical kudzu. Bob Moss, founder of Playwrights Horizons, called it "a Caffe Cino for a new generation."
I'll be attending the launch of No Shame's newest chapter which opens in the Atlanta area and hope you'll join us!