2018/2019 Class Of Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellows Announced

Dramatists Guild Foundation would like to formally announce the 2018-2019 class of DGF Fellows. The new Fellows class includes Zack Zadek, Benjamin Velez and Aryanna Garber, Zeniba Britt and Jay Adana, Melissa Li and Kit Yan, Erika Dickerson-Despenza, Charles Gershman, Nambi E. Kelley, Mathilde Dratwa, and Rae Binstock.

Each of these writers and writing teams has proven themselves to be of exceptional talent and promise. These writers will spend the year developing full-length shows with the guidance of Fellows Program Chairs Michael Korie, Laurence O'Keefe, Diana Son, and Sheri Wilner. In addition, Fellows receive a stipend, one-on-one mentorships with writers of note, access to guest artists, and an additional opportunity with one of DGF's partner organizations to further develop their piece. The program will culminate in a presentation of their work at an Off-Broadway theater.

"After receiving more applications than ever before, we a thrilled to welcome a wonderfully talented collection of writers to the Fellows this year. Each of these artists has demonstrated tremendous skill and artistry. We look forward to supporting them as their careers progress, both now and beyond their year in the Fellows." -Tessa Raden Gregory, DGF Program Manager

The Fellows program is a selective, year-long opportunity for playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters to develop full-length pieces. The program provides talented writers access to industry professionals, resources, and opportunities to help them hone their process and their unique voice. The Fellows program is highly sought after for its uniquely successful format of partnering playwrights and musical theater writers together in the learning process.

Former Fellows include Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen, In Transit), Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen), Lauren Yee (King of the Yees), Max Vernon (K-Pop), Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop), Kyle Jarrow (Spongebob Squarepants) and many more.