Ars Nova Names 2016 Resident Artists

Ars Nova continues its support of artists in the early stages of their professional careers through its wide array of unique development programs. Recognizing the critical need for performance as part of the development process, Ars Nova's programs bring bold, innovative new work to the stage all year long, through Project Residencies, concerts, readings, variety shows, workshops, festivals and full productions. Each season, Ars Nova provides audiences over a hundred opportunities to catch something extraordinary.

At the heart of Ars Nova's community are its Resident Artists. Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence Rachel Bonds, Director-in-Residence Annie Tippe, Comedy Curator John Early, Company-in-Residence The Mad Ones, new members of Ars Nova's Play Group, and returning members of Uncharted programs (outlined below) will make Ars Nova their artistic home over the course of their residencies, developing new work with the support of the organization's staff and resources while also providing insight and a fresh perspective on planning and programming to the Ars Nova artistic team.

Ars Nova's 2016 Resident Artists

Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence:

In 2016, Rachel Bonds becomes Ars Nova's Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence. Over the course of the year Rachel will receive a salary, benefits and artistic and professional development opportunities as she continues work on her Writers Room commission with an eye towards a World Premiere Production.

Director-in-Residence:

In 2016, Annie Tippe becomes Ars Nova's Director-in-Residence. Ars Nova's directing residency offers an exceptional emerging director multiple directing opportunities over the course of a year, as well as a creative home base for building relationships and developing new projects with the ongoing support of the artistic team.

Comedy Curator:

In 2016, Ars Nova will continue its support of, John Early, Ars Nova's Comedy Curator. Throughout the year, he will continue to host Ars Nova's ongoing variety show Showgasm, furthering his reign as the company's comedic tastemaster.

Company-in-Residence:

In 2016, The Mad Ones will continue receiving support from Ars Nova as its Company-in-Residence. In addition to a commission, Ars Nova provides this young company an artistic home and customized, unwavering support as it develops collaboratively created work.

Ars Nova's prior Company-in-Residence, The Debate Society, worked with Ars Nova for three years to commission, develop, and world premiere JACUZZI, named "Best of 2014" by Time Out New York.

Play Group:

New Play Group members Sam Chanse, Milo Cramer, Michael Yates Crowley, Sarah DeLappe, Sarah Einspanier, Kate Tarker and James Tyler join second-year members Kevin Armento, Emma Goidel, Trish Harnetiaux, Tony Meneses, Antoinette Nwandu and Erika Sheffer in 2016.

This vibrant and eclectic group of emerging playwrights gathers twice a month at Ars Nova to share new work and receive peer feedback. Members selected through a competitive open application process join the group for a two-year residency. Play Group offers members the chance to develop their plays with the support of collaborative relationships and a strong sense of community within Ars Nova. The Out Loud reading series provides Play Group members with public readings of their exceptional new plays. Play Group is generously sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery and City Slice.

Distinguished Play Group alumni include Annie Baker, Kristoffer Diaz, Amy Herzog, Samuel D. Hunter, Nick Jones, Stephen Karam, Liz Meriwether, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Beau Willimon.

Uncharted:

Uncharted members returning for their second year of support include Will Aronson & Sarah Hammond; Rachel Chavkin & Heather Christian; Greta Gertler Gold & Akin Salawu; Victor Lesniewski, Rebekah Greer Melocik & Jacob Yandura; Martyna Majok & Michael McQuilken; and Jason Kim & Max Vernon for 2016.

Through monthly meetings and ongoing support, Uncharted residencies provide music/theater makers with peer support and artistic feedback as they work on the first draft of new musicals. Over the course of their residencies, members receive public concerts produced by Ars Nova, offering the writers the chance to debut new material in front of a live audience, and weeklong workshops with top-notch directors and performers, culminating in full public readings. Uncharted is generously sponsored by The Michael A. Wiener Foundation, Brooklyn Brewery and City Slice.