Dramatists Guild of America to Host First Nashville Event 11/5

For the first time in its over 80-year history, The Dramatists Guild of America has named a regional representative for Tennessee, playwright C. Kay 'Andy' Landis.

"Tennessee is rich with talent and creative passion. As the Dramatists Guild's first regional rep for Tennessee, it's thrilling to tap into the treasure-trove of Tennessee playwrights who are creating musicals and non-musicals alike. I'm honored to help support and connect the playwrights who will make Tennessee the go-to state for theatre of all kinds," says Landis.

The Dramatists Guild of America will offer its first event in Nashville this Saturday, November 5, at Actors Bridge Studio at Darkhorse Chapel. Free to all Nashville artists interested in new works for the stage and taking place at the Darkhorse Chapel at 4610 Charlotte Ave, the event starts at noon and is open to Dramatists Guild members and non-members alike. To attend the event, reservations are required by sending an email to alandis@dramatistsguild.com

Actors Bridge Ensemble is hosting the event at the Actors Bridge Studio at Darkhorse Chapel as part of its commitment to new works for the stage.

"For me, starting Actors Bridge was about bringing to my hometown the kinds of new plays that I was lucky enough to see in places like New York and Chicago," says Vali Forrister, producing artistic director of Actors Bridge.

"I knew that meant cultivating new voices and creating a nurturing home for all theater artists to take bold creative risks in pursuit of their best ideas. Twenty years later, I'm still more interested in where theater is heading than in where it has been. I believe our audiences are as well."

The event will start with a Town Hall conversation concerning playwrights and their new works moderated by Landis.

"New plays are the vital heart of the American Theatre, pumping the form forward, circulating the lifeblood of our industry, invigorating artists and audiences alike with fresh approaches and essential new ideas that keep crucial conversations flowing," says Actors Bridge's associate artistic director Jessika Malone.

Following the Town Hall will be a panel discussion with the Gary Garrison, director of the Dramatists Guild Institute; Tari Stratton, director of education and outreach for the Guild; ABE's Forrister; Nate Eppler, director of the Ingram New Works Project at Nashville Repertory Theatre; and Shawn Whitsell, playwright/producer and founder of The Destiny Theatre Experience.