Stephen Schwartz to Step Down as Dramatists Guild President

The Dramatists Guild of America, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, announced today that Guild president Stephen Schwartz is stepping down after six years in office.

"I have considered it an honor and privilege to serve as president of the Guild, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished in the past six years," Mr. Schwartz said. "I look forward to working with the new leadership to complete current initiatives-in-progress and to help them realize their plans for the Guild to continue to strengthen and grow in the years ahead."

At a meeting of the Guild's Council, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright, whose credits include I Am My Own Wife, Quills and Grey Gardens, was elected to succeed Schwartz.

"Under former presidents Stephen Schwartz and John Weidman, the Guild has grown into a truly national organization, representing the diverse needs of playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists across the country. I hope I can provide the same artful stewardship as my dynamic, dedicated predecessors. I look forward to working with the Guild's excellent staff, its Council and its members to advance the cause of dramatists in the American theater," Wright said.

In addition to Wright, the Guild named Lisa Kron, whose credits include Well and Fun Home, as secretary; Peter Parnell and Julia Jordan remain as vice-president and treasurer, respectively.