Goodman Theatre Announces 2016-17 Playwrights Unit

Goodman Theatre's commitment to new plays and living writers continues in its 2016/2017 Season, which marks Robert Falls' 30th anniversary as Artistic Director. The Goodman is Chicago's premier not-for-profit theater, distinguished by the quality and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Over the past three decades, the Goodman has generated more than 150 world or American premieres. Remarks Falls, "We are undeniably living in a 'Golden Age' of playwriting; not since the 1970s and 1980s have so many bold, extraordinary new voices emerged at once."

The four Chicago-based playwrights newly named to the Playwrights Unit, a year-long residency in partnership with Chicago Dramatists, include Lucas Baisch, whose work has been developed at Victory Gardens Theater, Post Q at Links Hall, Chicago Dramatists' Saturday Series and more; Dawn Renee Jones, recipient of the 2015 Ruby Prize for her play A Heap See; Evan Linder, whose recent credits include the acclaimed remount of his play Byhalia, Mississippi, (2016 Non-Equity Jeff Award for new work) at Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre; and Emma Stanton, recipient of the 2016 Princess Grace Award Playwriting Fellowship, which includes a year-long residency at New Dramatists in New York.

The playwrights meet bi-monthly to discuss their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team. The residency culminates in a staged reading of each new play.

Beginning this week, the annual New Stages festival offers Chicagoland audiences the first look at six new plays by some of the hottest writers of the American theater: Kristiana Rae Colón, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Ellen Fairey, Lindsey Ferrentino, Kirsten Greenidge and Abe Koogler. On stage now in the Owen Theatre, the New Stages Festival continues through October 9; visit GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival for the full line-up and to reserve FREE tickets.

Founded in 1925, the Goodman is led by Robert Falls-"Chicago's most essential director" (Chicago Tribune)-and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who is celebrated for his vision and leadership over nearly four decades. Dedicated to new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musical theater works, Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned hundreds of awards for artistic excellence, including: two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, nearly 160 Jeff Awards and more. Nationally and internationally celebrated productions of classic works include Falls' productions of Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey into Night, King Lear and The Iceman Cometh, many in collaboration with actor Brian Dennehy. In addition, the Goodman became the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays August Wilson's "American Century Cycle." For nearly four decades, the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol has created a new generation of theatergoers.

The 2016 opening of the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement ("the Alice") launched the next phase in the Goodman's decades-long commitment as an arts and community organization dedicated to educating Chicago youth and promoting lifelong learning. Programs are offered year-round and free of charge. Eighty-five percent of the Goodman's youth program participants come from underserved communities.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago's cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family's legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth's family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, ReGina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Joan Clifford is Chair of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees, Cynthia K. Scholl is Women's Board President and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.