Powerhouse began in 1985 as an incubator for new works, far enough away from the pressures and politics of the NYC theater scene to give playwrights the freedom to take creative risks. Among the Powerhouse regulars are award-winning playwrights John Patrick Shanley, Beth Henley, Jon Robin Baitz, Theresa Rebeck, Sara Ruhl and many others. Several plays that had their world premieres at the Powerhouse have gone on to Broadway and Off-Broadway runs.

The goal of the Powerhouse professional season is to develop new work. Writing apprentices are part of that new work as observers and assistants to the professional company in rehearsals, workshops, and main-stage productions. They also take classes and have time to create and experiment with their own work. As members of the Apprentice Compay, writers have the opportunity to hear their work read and sometimes staged by a company of their peers.