Soho Rep's 15th Annual Writer/Director Lab Begins 4/1

Since its founding in 1998, Soho Rep's Writer/Director Lab has fostered the development of emerging playwrights and directors, providing mentorship and resources for their new theatrical works. From April 1 through May 13, the organization will present public readings of the fruits of this year's Lab, the 15th in Soho Rep's history.

Each fall, Soho Rep pairs up to five early-career writers and directors to generate new plays. Together, over a nine-month period, the Lab's members meet regularly to read and respond to one another's work. Like last year's Lab, the 2012/13 program is chaired by playwright Jenny Schwartz and director Ken Rus Schmoll. This season's plays are: Permission by Evan Twohy, directed by Jess Chayes; Judy by Max Posner, directed by Jesse Jou; This Is Gonna Be Great by Anna Greenfield, directed by Mary Birnbaum; The Nature of Things by Tracy Thorne, directed by Kristan Seemel; and My Mañana Comes by Elizabeth Irwin,directed by Sarah Krohn.

The upcoming readings of these plays are free and open to the public on first come, first served. Please see the schedule below for dates and locations.

Soho Rep has produced a number of works initially developed in the Lab, including Adam Bock's The Thugs, Gregory S. Moss' Orange, Hat and Grace, and Melissa James Gibson's Suitcase. In addition, Soho Rep has produced the works of many past Lab members like Jackie Sibblies Drury's We Are Proud To Present A Presentation..., Annie Baker's Uncle Vanya and David Adjmi's Elective Affinities and worked with several past Lab directors including Anne Kauffman and Steve Cosson.

Many plays developed in the Lab have also gone on to successful premieres at other theaters, such as Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles (Lincoln Center Theater, OBIE Award for best play), David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette (American Repertory Theatre & Yale Rep), Jason Grote's 1001 (P73 Productions & Denver Center Theater) andMaria / Stuart (Woolly Mammoth Theatre), Jenny Schwartz's Somewhere Fun (upcoming, Vineyard Theatre), Thomas Bradshaw's Purity (P.S. 122) and Susan Soon He Stanton's Takarazuka!!! (Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks).

Applications for the 2013/14 Lab open on April 1, 2013. Go to www.sohorep.org and click on the Lab link to learn more and apply.