Public Theater Accepting Applications for Emerging Writers Group

Expanding on its history of developing new plays and cultivating new voices for the American theater, The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Mara Manus) is now accepting applications for the second year of The Emerging Writers Group, an initiative that seeks to target playwrights at the earliest stages in their careers and nurture their artistic growth by providing necessary resources and support. In doing so, The Public hopes to create an artistic home for a diverse and exceptionally talented group of up-and-coming playwrights.  This program is a component of The Public Writers Initiative, a long-term program that provides key support and resources for writers at every stage of their careers. Time Warner is the Founding Sponsor of The Public Writers Initiative.

The Public Writers Initiative fosters a web of supportive artistic relationships across generations of writers that will influence the future of contemporary American theater. Many of today's most honored and recognized playwrights such as John Guare, Suzan-Lori Parks, David Rabe, Christopher 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 and musicals, 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 Writers Initiative ensures that The Public's great tradition of supporting playwrights and playwriting will remain central to its future.

"The Emerging Writers Group represents one more way The Public Theater can throw open its doors to extraordinarily talented individuals and provide them with an artistic home," said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "We were thrilled to receive over 700 applications last year and we ultimately selected a diverse group of writers, many of whom did not begin their playwriting careers through traditional channels.  We look forward to welcoming twelve new playwrights to the Emerging Writers Group in 2009."

"Nurturing new voices is a cornerstone of Time Warner's arts philanthropy," said Luis B. Castro, Executive Director of Philanthropic Initiatives at Time Warner. "Through the Emerging Writers Group, The Public has created an artistic home for a dozen gifted storytellers. We are excited to be moving into a second year of this initiative, helping bring career and development opportunities to more talented undiscovered and early-career writers."

Through an open application process, The Public Theater will select 12 promising playwrights to join the Emerging Writers Group for one year.

Selected playwrights will receive a $3000 stipend. Works by Emerging Writers Group members will be presented in at least one reading at The Public. They will also participate in a biweekly writers group led by The Public's Literary Department and master classes with established playwrights. Additionally, they will have a chance to observe rehearsals for productions at The Public, receive career development advice from mid-career and established writers, and receive artistic and professional support from the Literary Department and Public artistic staff. Members of the group will also receive complimentary tickets to Public Theater shows, invited dress rehearsals, and other special events, as well as a supplemental stipend for tickets to productions at other theaters.

Visit www.publictheater.org for application form and guidelines.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 29, 2008.

Materials must be postmarked by August 29th or received at The Public Theater by midnight on the 29th. Finalists will be contacted in early December to set up in-person interviews to be held at The Public Theater. All applicants will be notified of their status by mid-late December 2008. The program will begin in January 2009 and continue through the end of December 2009.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY:

    * Cannot have professional representation for playwriting including, but not limited to, agent, manager or lawyer.
    * Cannot be a full-time student during the duration of the program.
    * Cannot be enrolled in any academic playwriting course during the duration of the program.
    * Must not have had any productions in New York other than those using the showcase code or in an off-off-Broadway theater with 99 or fewer seats. (If your New York show used a higher contract tier than the showcase code, you are not eligible to apply. If your New York show received a festival production in a theater with more than 99 seats and did not use an Equity contract, you are eligible to apply.)
    * Must live within the tri-state area
    * Must be able to attend evening meetings at The Public Theater every other week in 2009 as well as other events throughout the year, such as master classes, retreats, observerships, and other special events at The Public.
    * Must be available for an in-person interview in early December 2008.

The Public Theater will select the strongest candidates based on the overall strength of the applicant's play submission, artistic statement and interview. The Public will look for candidates from diverse backgrounds who show tremendous artistic promise and talent, as well as responsible and dedicated individuals who are serious about a career in the theater. The Public is especially interested in playwrights who have not begun their writing careers via the traditional channels. The selection committee will be comprised of Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Mandy Hackett, Associate Artistic Director; Liz Frankel, Literary Associate and other full-time artistic staff.

Applicants with questions are encouraged to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on The Public's website; questions not answered there may be emailed to EWGquestions@publictheater.org.

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.

 

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