Jessica Huang to Reimagine The War of the Worlds for Indiana Repertory Theatre

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) has announced an exciting new commission from its current James Still Playwright-in-Residence, Jessica Huang. As part of her three-year residency, the acclaimed playwright will take on a bold new adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic science fiction novel The War of the Worlds.

Originally published in the late 19th century, Wells’ novel chronicles a Martian invasion of Earth and has long been interpreted as a cautionary tale about imperialism, colonization, and xenophobia. Over the decades, the story has been reimagined for different eras and audiences—from Orson Welles’ legendary 1938 radio broadcast during the rise of fascism to Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster 2005 film. Now, Huang is set to bring her own contemporary perspective to the timeless tale.

“While working with IRT on the idea for this commission, our thought was to find a known title that could withstand a creative reimagining and speak to themes that are important to me,” Huang explained. “As global unrest, natural catastrophes, and other dystopian events increasingly dominate the headlines, I became more and more excited about adapting The War of the Worlds.”

Huang’s version will delve into themes of survival, community, and resilience in the face of disaster, while exploring what it means to stay human when the world feels like it’s ending. “It’ll be eerie, thrilling, and hopefully inspiring, life-affirming, and fun,” she added.

Later this month, Huang will begin developing the adaptation during The New Harmony Project’s 2025 Annual Writers’ Residency. A public reading is planned for IRT’s 2026–2027 season, giving audiences a glimpse into the evolution of this ambitious new work.

“Jessica is a remarkable writer whom I have admired for over a decade,” said IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna. “Our hope is that this play resonates widely across American theatre and breathes new life into a pivotal work of classical literature. I’m thrilled that Indianapolis audiences will be among the first to experience her poetic and imaginative take on this story.”

Huang’s star continues to rise on the national stage. In addition to her IRT commission, she was recently announced as a co-writer of 10 Things I Hate About You: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the beloved 1999 teen film. The musical, based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, will feature a book co-written by Huang and Lena Dunham, with original music by Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska.

Her play Mother of Exiles will have its world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre during the 2025–2026 season. Huang is also developing an original television series with Warner Bros. Television.

A graduate of Juilliard’s Playwrights Program and a Venturous Playwright Fellow at the Playwrights’ Center, Huang has earned numerous fellowships and residencies, including the MacDowell and Hermitage Fellowships. At IRT, she plays an active role on the Artistic Team, guides the Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP) program, and represents the theatre at festivals and events nationwide.

Her upcoming adaptation of The War of the Worlds promises to be an innovative, genre-bending exploration of what happens when humanity is tested—not only by alien forces, but by its own fears and instincts.