Erika Dickerson-Despenza News

Playwright Novid Parsi has been named the recipient of the 2025 Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award from the National Theatre Conference (NTC), recognizing an outstanding emerging playwright.

The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced award-winning playwright, journalist, and multimedia artist Aurin Squire as the recipient of the 2025 Thom Thomas Award.

The New Harmony Project is now accepting applications for its 2026 Writers’ Residency, running May 20–31 in New Harmony, Indiana. This year’s program will focus on alumni writers developing film and television projects, with applications due November 10, 2025.

The Flint, Michigan water crisis began when the city decided to save money by switching its source of water from Detroit to the Flint River in 2014. It resulted in highly elevated lead levels and essentially toxic waste coming from the household taps on which tens of thousands of residents had depended. 

The Dramatists Guild Foundation has named Gloria Oladipo as the recipient of the 2024 Thom Thomas Award, given annually to an alumnus of the DGF Fellows program who demonstrates great artistic skill. Learn more about Oladipo!

Alex Lin will be honored with the National Theatre Conference's prestigious Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award, supported by Jean Bruce Scott and Julie Jensen, presented annually to recognize an outstanding emerging playwright. Learn more!

The New Harmony Project is now accepting applications for the 38th annual Writers’ Residency. Learn how to apply.

The New Harmony Project introduces PlayFest Indy, a new festival celebrating innovative plays and playwrights in Indianapolis.

Rattlestick Theater will host playwrights Alex Lin and kanishk pandey as its 2024-25 Van Lier New Voices Fellows. This program provides substantial support to two emerging playwrights of color annually, including a $35,000 living stipend, a $5,000 artistic fund, mentorship with a chosen playwright, workshops and readings of new work, as well as participation in Rattlestick's larger artistic network.

The Public Theater has revealed the line-up for The Public’s 2024-25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Mosaic Theater Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a season centering iconic artists and new plays. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced multifaceted artist Zeniba Now as the recipient of the 2023 Thom Thomas Award, given annually to an alumnus of the DGF Fellows program who demonstrates great artistic skill. 

Actor's Express will conclude its 35th anniversary season with the winner of the 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, cullud wattah, a play about strength and survival in a family of women.

The New Harmony Project announced that it is now accepting applications for the 37th annual conference to be held May 22-June 2, 2024.

Rattlestick Theater announced that it will host playwrights AriDy Nox and a.k. payne as its 2023-24 Van Lier New Voices Fellows.

There is only one week left to apply for Irons in the Fire, the year-round new play development series from Fault Line Theatre.

In honor of the 45th Anniversary of the internationally prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, 4th Wall Theatre Company is hosting a special one-night only reading of this year's Prize Winner, IN THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE PARKING LOT by U.S. playwright Sarah Mantell.  Presented on Sunday, June 4 at 7pm, the reading will be followed by a reception and conversation with the playwright.

Check out photos from opening night of The Public Theater’s world premiere staging of shadow/land!

The world premiere staging of shadow/land by Erika Dickerson-Despenza opens tonight at The Public Theater. Read the reviews!

The world premiere staging of shadow/land by Erika Dickerson-Despenza has been extended at The Public Theater through Sunday, May 28.