Orchard Project Announces Summer Residency Program; Applications Now Being Accepted

The Orchard Project is proud to announce it is currently accepting applications for The Orchard Project's 2009 Summer Residency Program taking place June 2009.

Founded in 2006, The Orchard Project has quickly become one of the nation's foremost institutions championing the development of new plays and musicals by providing artist residencies to today's most dynamic and influential theatre companies. In the past three years, it has hosted Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Project, The Civilians, London's Royal Court, Pig Iron, Elevator Repair Service, Epic, Edge, New Georges and many others.  The Orchard Project has played a significant role in the development of new works which have since been or will be produced at Arena Stage, St. Anne's Warehouse, PS122, the Edinburgh Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, the Royal Court and more.

The Orchard Project operates a residency program in beautiful upstate New York commencing just after Memorial Day and running through July 4th. Throughout residencies, theatre companies and artists are provided room, board and rehearsal space for up to 10 days. Residencies are intentionally designed and scheduled to encourage cross pollination of ideas and talents.  This intermingling is the cornerstone of both the Orchard Project's success and its mission - enabling world class companies and artists to learn from each other through collaboration and conversation.

In past years, application was by nomination only, and  The Orchard Project is proud to be opening up applications to all for the first time.  Furthermore, while in past years only companies were able to apply to the Orchard Project, it has been expanded beyond this priMary Focus to include a number of individual artist residencies to complement resident companies.  Writers, directors and any other generators of new work can apply.  To apply for a residency, it is required that you complete a short questionnaire about potential needs you'd like to develop/support so that the Orchard Project can see if it can accommodate you or your company. NO SCRIPTS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED. This short statement is due no later than December 1st, 2008. In order to access the form, please visit www.orchardproject.com/apply.

The Orchard Project is a program of The Exchange (Ari Edelson, Artistic Director). www.exchangenyc.org