Public Theater Selects 2016-17 Emerging Writers Group

The Public Theater announced the 10 new playwrights today for the 2016-17 Emerging Writers Group. Now in its sixth cycle, the Emerging Writers Group is an ongoing initiative that targets playwrights at the earliest stages in their career, creating an artistic home, and offering support and resources for a diverse group of up-and-coming playwrights.

Selected from more than 440 applicants, the 2016-17 Emerging Writers are Liza Birkenmeier, Hammaad Chaudry, Phillip Howze, Monet Hurst-Mendoza, Geraldine Inoa, Jeremy J. Kamps, MJ Kaufman, Christopher Gabriel Núñez, Stav Palti-Negev, and Celine Song. Past EWG writers have included Raúl Castillo, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Ethan Lipton, Mona Mansour, and Dominique Morisseau.

The Emerging Writers Group is a component of The Public Writers Initiative, a long-term program that provides key support and resources for writers at every stage of their careers. It creates a fertile community and fosters a web of supportive artistic relationships across generations. Time Warner is the Founding Sponsor of the Emerging Writers Group, and provides continued program support through the Time Warner Foundation.

Writers are selected bi-annually and receive a two-year fellowship at The Public which includes a stipend. Staged readings of works by Emerging Writers Group members are presented in the Spotlight Series at The Public. The playwrights also participate in a bi-weekly writers group led by The Public's literary department and master classes led by established playwrights. Additionally, they have a chance to observe rehearsals for productions at The Public, receive career development advice from mid-career and established writers, and receive artistic and professional support from the literary department and Public artistic staff. Members of the group also receive complimentary tickets to Public Theater shows, invited dress rehearsals, and other special events, as well as a supplemental stipend for tickets to productions at other theaters.

"We are so happy to welcome our sixth class of the Emerging Writers Group to The Public Theater," said Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett. "It's been thrilling to watch this program grow over the years and we are excited to get to know this very talented group of writers hailing from all over the world."

"At the core of our company is our dedication to serving as a home to the world's best storytellers and sharing their work with global audiences," said Lisa Garcia Quiroz, SVP Cultural Investments & Chief Diversity Officer, Time Warner Inc., and President, Time Warner Foundation. "We formed the Time Warner Foundation to help us discover, nurture, and celebrate the next generation of remarkable voices and to shine the spotlight on the work of diverse artists from all backgrounds. The Emerging Writers Group at The Public is an incredible fit with that mission, which is why we are very proud to once again support this exceptional initiative."