Why Expand The Canon?
Because the classics should reflect the full scope of who has shaped theatre history—not just the same dead white guys.

Learn about what we do and how to work with us.

What is the List?
A guide to bonafide classics by women and underrepresented genders we curated to make slotting these plays into your season and syllabi easy.

Our plays span 1600-1990, 16 countries, 11 languages of origin, cast sizes ranging from 1 to 25+, many styles and topics… and are all excellent.

To get to know 52 classic plays, playwright bios, summaries, pitches, producing information, & more.

“Thank you for this production. I can’t believe for 250 years we didn’t know this existed!”
— Audience Member, ISF's A Bold Stroke for a Husband

Thanks to our supporters!


Grateful for support from
National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Brooklyn Arts Council
City Corps
Dime Community Bank
ART / NY
The Nancy Quinn Fund
Huron Consulting Group
eBay NYC
Acadia Project

Proud members of
The Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York
The League of Independent Theatres
The Artist Co-Op
The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance

Follow us @hedgepigensembletheatre!

Nominations for our Reading Committee are now open! Know someone that loves reading plays? Nominate someone (or yourself!) to join our Expand the Canon reading committee & help us choose the 2024 list of classic plays! Link in bio.
#TBT to playwright Fumiko Enchi's birthday earlier this week! Born on October 2, 1905, Enchi wrote One-Acts or Restless Night in Late Spring & A Hell of Her Own, featured on the 2020 Expand the Canon list. She is a celebrated Japanese writer. Des
The wait is over - the 4th Expand the Canon list is out! That means 36 classic plays by women – as many plays as Shakespeare! This year's plays span 7 countries, 3 continents, and 315 years. And we are delighted to partner with 7 incredible com
Just a few more hours to bid in our digital silent auction - get your bids in by 11:55 PM ET to support Expand the Canon and get incredible items, including these terrific signed books: 📕 a collection of three books by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Edit: POSTPONED The 2023 Expand the Canon list drop is TONIGHT! Join us in-person or virtually at This is a Classic! Live! at 7 PM ET at @caveatnyc for the list reveal + discussion from our amazing panelists on the importance of producing these tit
Just a few more days to bid in our digital silent auction! Join us in expanding the canon, and get amazing items and experiences to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, including: 🎶 virtual singing lessons with Joyful Singing Studios 💸 artist mo