Public Theater Announces New 'Public Writers Initiative'

Expanding on its fifty-year history of developing new plays and cultivating new voices for the American Theater, The Public Theater has announced the creation of The Public Writers Initiative - a long-term initiative that will provide key support and resources for writers at every stage of their careers. 

"With Time Warner as its founding sponsor, The Public Writers Initiative will begin its first phase in fall 2007 with the creation of The Emerging Writers Group.  A unique and innovative program for the industry, The Emerging Writers Group will provide key resources and access to underrepresented talent selected through an open application process.  In tandem with the expansion of The Public's existing development and commissioning programs, The Public Writers Initiative will create a fertile community at The Public where writers can grow and learn from each other.  Most importantly, it will also foster a web of supportive artistic relationships across generations of writers that will influence the future of contemporary American theater," state Public Theater notes.

"Many of today's most honored and recognized playwrights such as John Guare, Suzan-Lori Parks, David Rabe, Chris Durang, Wallace Shawn, Ntozake Shange, Sam Shepard, Tony Kushner and Nilo Cruz have a long history developing their work at The Public. The Public has also produced some of today's most important plays, such as Hair, Sticks and Bones, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, The Colored Museum, Topdog/Underdog, Caroline, Or Change, and A Chorus Line.  The Public's Writers Initiative will ensure that The Public's great tradition of supporting playwrights and playwriting will remain central to its future."

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis stated "The Public Theater was founded to give a stage for the full diversity of American voices.  The Public Writers Initiative will allow us to provide a home to the writers we believe in, and encourage them to address the great issues of the time."

Time Warner has been a long-time and invaluable corporate supporter of The Public Theater. 

The Public Writers Initiative will fall under the auspices of the LuEsther Lab, named for the late LuEsther T. Mertz, who was a major benefactor of The Public and Chair of its Board from 1973 to 1987. The LuEsther Lab provides creative and financial support for artists at all stages in their careers through commissions, residencies, readings and workshops that have proven fundamental to The Public's artistic success. 
 
"The Public will identify and cultivate relationships with promising writers who, at the beginning of their careers, do yet have access to The Public through traditional industry channels.  In the Emerging Writers Group, these writers will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from more established writers, and learn about production issues by observing the production process at The Public.  With an open application process, The Public will cast a wide net across the country annually to select twelve to fifteen writers to participate in the program, which will include a three thousand-dollar stipend; biweekly writers group administered by The Public Literary Department; in-house readings; master classes led by established playwrights; career development opportunities; and artistic and professional support from The Public's artistic staff.   Writers will be selected for placement beginning September 2007.   Application guidelines will be available later this month.

In addition to the Emerging Writers, The Public Writers Initiative will also significantly increase the number of readings, workshops and commissions for writers at all stages of their careers.  Artistic development of this nature is at the core of The Public's mission and is critical to helping the institution and writers develop new work for the theater.  By providing apprenticeships and master classes, inviting the community of writers to attend all in-house readings and workshops and participate in general field discussions, The Public will create additional points of intersection for writers across generations to interact, build relationships and find mutual creative inspiration."

Visit www.publictheater.com for more information.