New National Grant, Retreat Launched for Female Playwrights

Nebraska-based playwright Beaufield Berry (Psycho Ex Girlfriend, Happy Hour, The Waiting Line) is launching a nationwide retreat specifically created for female playwrights. The 'Wild Dreamer' retreat kicks off Sept. 17-20th, 2015 in Pine Lake, New York and is announcing award-winning playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer (Sirens, Leveling Up, End Days) as its featured playwright.

The retreat is a three day working respite for busy women writers and includes workshops led by Laufer, performances, play development and outdoor activities. Situated in the beautiful landscape of upstate New York, the Wild Dreamer Retreat promises an inviting, laid back atmosphere where writers can explore themselves and the creation of new work.

The retreat works in conjunction with the launch of Beaufield Berry's 'Wild Dreamer' grant, a monetary award of $1,000 given to an emerging female playwright whose work exhibits "fearless creativity, independence and spirit" chosen by a nationwide network of writers and directors.

The recipient of this award must be a participant in the Great Plains Theater Conference (2015-2016) year and will also receive a scholarship including travel to the Wild Dreamer Retreat.

This year Cleveland based playwright Arwen Mitchell was chosen to receive scholarship to the retreat for her fearlessly fun new play, "(Style is) The Answer To Everything. Mitchell will be a play lab participant this summer at the 10th annual Great Plains Theater Conference, held annually in Omaha, Nebraska.