Public Theatre Presents Staged Readings By Emerging Writers Group, Begins 6/1

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will continue to present staged readings of new plays by the inaugural class of the Emerging Writers Group, an annual program that targets playwrights at the earliest stages of their careers and nurtures their artistic growth by providing necessary resources and support. In June, the "Spotlight Series," which combines first-rate theatrical talent with new works written and developed by members of the Emerging Writers Group during their time at The Public, will present new plays by Radha Blank, Leila Buck, Raúl Castillo, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, and Pia Wilson.

Each play will receive two staged readings, one at 3 p.m. and one at 7 p.m., directed and performed by experienced artists from the theater community. Tickets are free and may be reserved in advance by calling (212) 967-7555.

EMERGING WRITERS GROUP SPOTLIGHT SERIES SCHEDULE - June 2009

Monday, June 1

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

RED ROOSTER
Written by Pia Wilson

Directed by Liesl Tommy

Joyce, a Hurricane Katrina refugee from New Orleans' Ninth Ward, is living in New Jersey with an elderly man named George. Joyce and George have an agreement: she'll take care of him, and he'll eventually sign his home over to her as payment. All is going well for George and Joyce, until George's son comes home and wants the house.

Monday, June 8

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

S/HE
Written by Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko

Directed by Niegel Smith

Sam, an African-American anatomical female, needs to become a man to feel complete. S/he comes through the operation only to find that the world won't transition with him.

Monday, June 15

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

NANNYLAND
Written by Radha Blank

Directed by Kamilah Forbes

Nannyland is a satire that takes place at Paradise Cove, an exclusive, all-inclusive family resort in the Caribbean where mommies and daddies can escape their worries and leave with the perfect souvenir: a Paradise Cove Child Care Specialist.

Monday, June 22

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

MISSION
Written by Raúl Castillo

Directed by Tlaloc Rivas

A New York City woman who, after losing her lover to a freak bus accident and learning that she is pregnant with his child, decides to visit her lover's estranged family in South Texas in an effort to learn more about his shadowy past.

Monday, June 29

3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

IN THE CROSSING
Written by Leila Buck

Directed by Shana Gold

Leila, a Lebanese-American writer-performer, was caught in Lebanon with her Jewish husband during the Israeli-Hezbollah war of 2006. As she attempts to portray the many voices of their experience, Leila begins to realize that the most treacherous journey of all is the act of telling her story.

The Emerging Writers Group strengthens The Public's commitment to creating an artistic home for diverse and exceptionally talented up-and-coming playwrights. The Emerging Writers Group is one element 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.

Each emerging writer receives a one-year fellowship at The Public which includes a $3,000 stipend; participation in a biweekly writers' group led by Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett and The Public's Literary Department; master classes with established playwrights; career development advice and artistic support from acclaimed writers and Public artistic staff; complimentary tickets to Public shows and supplemental stipends for productions at other theaters; and presentation of their work in at least one reading at The Public.

2010 Emerging Writers Group application guidelines will be available in late spring 2009. Check www.publictheater.org/artists/emergingwriters.php regularly for details on applying for the next cycle of this program.

TICKET INFORMATION

Spotlight Series will run through Monday, June 29, with two presentations of each play: one at 3 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Check www.publictheater.org for up-to-date casting and schedule information.

The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets are free and can be reserved at (212) 967-7555 or by visiting the Public Theater box office.