BETC Leads the Way on New Play Development: A World Premiere and a National Recognition

This month, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) is solidifying its place as a leader in new play development, not just locally, but on a national scale.

On October 22, BETC will unveil the world premiere of Full Code by David Valdes Greenwood, their fourth world premiere production and the first to emerge from the 4-year-old Generations program. Generations is an annual new play completion that solicits new scripts from playwrights who are parents of at least one child aged eighteen or under. Supported by the Sustainable Arts Foundation, this program helps provide a creative home to writers during some of the most difficult years for artistic output. The winning writer is awarded a cash prize and BETC brings them to Boulder for a week-long residency where their play is workshopped and given a public reading.

Producing Artistic Director Stephen Weitz said, "The Generations program is something we're incredibly proud of. Everyone on the BETC staff has young children, so we know first-hand how challenging it can be to feed and nurture your artistry during those years. To bring Full Code all the way from workshop to world premiere is a testament to the power of the program and illuminates BETC's commitment to finding and fostering great new American plays."

Valdes Greenwood expressed his admiration for the program, saying, "BETC took on a challenging play, engaged it in a serious development process, and helped shaped a richer, more mature piece as a result. Working with them along the way has been exhilarating and deeply rewarding. The fact that they created a process that financially and creatively supports parents like me who are also working artists is singular and very special."

Additionally, the most recent winner of the Generations competition, The Madres by Stephanie Alison Walker, was just announced as one of six plays to be included in the National New Play Network's 2016 National Showcase of New Plays. This prestigious event will happen in December in Austin, TX and representatives from theatres all across the country will witness this exciting new play, submitted by BETC on Stephanie's behalf, performed as a staged reading.

Valdes Greenwood will also be represented at the event as another of his plays is one of the six finalists. Weitz said, "To have two of our Generations winners among the six finalists being presented at the Showcase is extraordinary. It further demonstrates the quality of writers we are working with in our development efforts and establishes BETC nationally as an important player in the new play development landscape."

Throughout their ten-year history, BETC has become know for the outstanding quality of their productions as well as their exceptional organizational growth. It's time to add new play development to that list.

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