Playwrights of New York Fellowship To Now Include Health Insurance

Sandi Farkas, Founder of the Playwrights of New York (PONY) Fellowship, has announced that health insurance will now be provided as part of the yearly Fellowship going forward. This is in addition to a year of free housing in a midtown apartment, a monthly stipend and artistic support from the Lark Play Development Center for each recipient.

Five years ago, New York City playwright Sandi Goff Farkas created the Playwrights of New York (PONY) Fellowship. By providing not only a stipend but also a year of free housing which was unprecedented at the time, Sandi was able to create a fellowship with the goal of giving playwrights the time, space and encouragement to create new work. Partnering with the Lark Play Development Center, a group she had worked with for many years previously, the Fellowship has helped playwrights maintain their creative control without fear of censorship for the sake of mainstream appeal. This focus on the writer and his/her uninhibited expression is evident in the works produced by the five Fellows to date: Carson Kreitzer, Sam Hunter, Katori Hall, Tommy Smith and, most recently, A. Rey Pamatmat

The healthcare announcement was made at a private event at the PONY apartment honoring the 2011 winner A. Rey Pamatmat. Rey was working as a database manager while he struggled to finish writing his play "Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them." Since winning the PONY Fellowship and moving into the PONY provided apartment this year, he has been able to quit his day job and begin working on a new play.

"Nothing makes me happier than seeing the community gather around someone to support his or her gift -- and Rey has a very special gift that requires deep support and careful attention in order to bring it to its fullest potential," said Farkas during the festivities.

The selection process for the 2012 PONY fellow has already begun. Nominations are due December 15th with applications due January 15th. For more information, please visit www.playwrightsonewyork.org.

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