KC Rep Announces Mellon Grant Renewal for Playwright-in-Residence Nathan Louis Jackson

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen is pleased to announce that the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has renewed its support of KC Rep's three-year playwright residency program for Nathan Louis Jackson through the National Playwright Residency Program. The grant totals $232,000 and will enable KC Rep's Playwright in Residence Nathan Louis Jackson to continue his significant contributions to new works, a key component of KC Rep's mission.

Rosen stated, "Renewing this residency is of critical importance to KC Rep's expansion of its new work focus. I can't sufficiently express my gratitude to the Mellon Foundation for its support of Nathan Jackson's residency these past two seasons, or how proud and excited we are to be able to continue another cycle of work with Nathan. He is a great American writer whose home, family, community, and artistic objectives make him an invaluable part of Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the larger community."

Jackson stated, "For most playwrights, a theatre is like living in a sublet; it's a temporary home where your play will find a warm stage to rest on and where you're treated like a most welcomed guest. This residency has been incredible because it has made KC Rep my artistic home, and I am thrilled to extend my stay. I was born and raised in Kansas City and I love it here. The opportunity to make a living as a writer in Kansas City is a reality that I never thought possible. The Mellon Foundation has made this - and more - possible. In the past three years I have seen two of my plays produced by KC Rep, and I can't wait to see what we will do together in the three years ahead."

During its 2014-15 50th anniversary season, KC Rep staged the world premiere production of Jackson's Sticky Traps, the first new work to result from his playwriting residency. The play was developed through workshops and readings before taking to the stage under the direction of Kyle Hatley. Sticky Traps was produced as a part of KC Rep's subscriber season and enjoyed a run of 31 performances over the course of four weeks.

Throughout the residency, Jackson has been involved with community outreach to area colleges, adult and juvenile correctional facilities, and Kanas City public schools. His outreach included work with students in four Kansas City, Kansas high schools and one middle school where he led week-long workshops that culminated in student performances of scenes they had written together and one-day workshops in which he led students through creative exercises, discussed the process of playwriting, and stressed the importance of theatre as a tool of communication.

Nathan will continue his work with Kansas State's Ebony Theatre, a student-run organization dedicated to producing the work of African American playwrights, helping them to recruit new members and rebuild their program and possibly writing a play for them to produce.

Additional ongoing work includes organizing and hosting KC Rep Playwright Slams with Director of New Works Marissa Wolf. These free community events are part of KC Rep's Origin KC new work program.

About Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Kansas City Repertory Theatre, one of the nation's oldest and most respected regional theaters, is the center of a great theatre town. KC Rep produces theatrical excellence, creating and sharing stories at the center of our nation's creative crossroads. KC Rep's mission is to advance the art form while cultivating passionate audiences, artists, and advocates to invest in our region's creative future. We build community by connecting people through productions and outreach that educate, entertain, challenge and inspire. Lauded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, Variety and The Toronto Sun, KC Rep produces mainstage plays and special events at Spencer Theatre, where it serves as the professional theatre in residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), and Copaken Stage located in downtown Kansas City. KC Rep employs more than 250 professional artists, technicians and administrators, and serves more than 100,000 patrons and 12,000 school children annually. Kansas City Repertory Theatre is led by Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras.