The Playwrights Realm Now Accepting Applications for 2013

The Playwrights Realm, under the leadership of Artistic Director Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Renee Blinkwolt, is now accepting applications for its 2013-14 Writing Fellows program. The deadline for submissions is May 3.

The Writing Fellows program lies at the very heart of what the Playwrights Realm does - helping writers be writers.

The Realm doesn't just develop new plays - it develops new playwrights, so each residency is customized based on both the individual and collective needs of the group of Fellows. This holistic approach is unique among development programs in the American Theatre and means the Playwrights Realm is not just guiding the creative development of a play, but the professional development of the writers as well. Each year, four early-career playwrights are selected to be Playwrights Realm Writing Fellows and receive nine months of resources, workshops and feedback designed to help them reach their professional and artistic goals. Over the course of the season, Fellows develop a single new play. Monthly group meetings provide a collaborative, energizing setting for writers to share and refine their work. Individual meetings with the Realm's Artistic Director and staff support each writer's specific artistic process, and work with a director and cast during two workshops allow writers to see their work come to life. In addition to creative and professional development support over the course of the year-long Fellowship, the selected playwrights receive a $2,500 stipend, an internal workshop of their play, and a final reading of their play for a public audience as part of the Playwrights Realm's INK'D Festival in the spring.

"Last year, the Writing Fellows program drew over 200 applications from early career playwrights, more than the company has seen in its five-year history," says Ms. Kovner, "and we are beyond excited to receive submissions from the next group of early-career playwrights."