Lucille Lortel Theatre Reveals New Artistic Initiatives and Programming

Following the appointments of Michael Heitzman and Caridad Svich as Co-Artistic Directors of New Work and the purchase of a new theater space in Chelsea dedicated to artistic development, the Lucille Lortel Theatre has announced several artistic initiatives that further expand the historic theater’s impact on the Off-Broadway community and the field nationally. These programs include the 121 Project, a bespoke development program for new musicals; a second round of micro-commission of new plays; two digital play readings; and a new online interview series with playwrights.

Under the stewardship of Heitzman, Artistic Director of New Musical Development, the 121 Project recognizes that the creation of a new musical is a singularly unique process and that every new musical is at different stages of development. No single program can fit most needs. 121 Project is designed to provide up to $10,000 of tailored support for the specific needs of a project. The first round of submissions for the 121 Project are due on October 31, 2023. Submission guidelines can be found at www.lortel.org/lucille-lortel-music-theatre-lab-121.

“121 Project is a bespoke development program designed to meet the individual needs of a specific moment,” says Heitzman. “Some projects are at the early stages and need space to write. Others might need dramaturgical support, studio time to explore vocal arrangements or the physical vocabulary of the show or a more traditional reading. Just tell us what you need. We also value a writer’s time and have created a simple application that is quick to fill out. We want artists to get back to what they love... creating.”

Led and curated by Svich, Artistic Director of New Play Development, The Alcove at the Lortel is the Lucille Lortel Theatre’s new play development program for early and mid-career playwrights. It begins with micro commissions, the first 10 which were awarded in April 2023, and can be followed by further development with dramaturgs, directors, or designers.

The second round of commissioned playwrights are Kristen Adele, Amy Berryman, Andy Bragen, Diane Exavier, Exal Iraheta, Jennifer Maisel, Preston Max Allen, Ramiz Monsef, Azure D. Osborne-Lee, Iraisa Ann Reilly, and Annie Siddons.

They join a new cohort of dramaturgs and directors including Zi Alikhan, Tommo Fowler, Jackson Gay, Paul Notice, Meropi Peponides, Peter Jacob Ruiz, Martine Kei Green Rogers, Leigh Silverman, and Divinia Shorter.

“The Alcove at the Lortel is a place to seed dreams,” said Svich. “Through 11 micro commissions this Fall, we’re supporting a group of incredible playwrights at the crucial first step. At the same time, we are nurturing our first cohort of micro commissions into the next phase of development through readings or other work with dramaturgs or directors. The goal is simple: support artists on their respective trajectories and honor the resiliency it takes to create art at all times.”

The Alcove at the Lortel is pleased to welcome Kirsten Greenidge as its first artist in virtual residence. In addition to continuing development of her new play Mathilde, Greenidge will advise The Alcove throughout the year with artist recommendations and projects.
 

In October, The Alcove at the Lortel will host two digital readings beginning with Racist Actor by Daniel York Loh on October 16 at 7 PM ET. Directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson, this fierce and dark satire features Siu-see Hung and Loh. This event will be followed on October 23 at 7PM ET with a digital reading of The Deodand, Or: The Rat Play by Justice Hehir. Directed by Joan Sergay, this real-time play about rat-wrangling, neurodivergence, and everything we can and cannot see about the people we love the most features Molly Carden, Layla Khoushnoudi, Keshav Moodliar, and Suzy Weller. Both readings are free with registration at www.lortel.org and will be available on demand for 10 days following the premiere.

In the late fall, The Alcove at the Lortel will collaborate with The Playwrights Guild of Canada to support two playwrights, ruth tang and Terence Anthony, who were awarded micro commission in the first round. They will participate in Craft Bites International, a webinar series where playwrights are connected to share their work and discuss the craft of playwriting with one another..

Throughout the Fall and Spring, another group of playwrights will participate in tailored research and development sessions as part of The Alcove at the Lortel. These artists receive support in areas of research and dramaturgical development as they continue to develop their scripts through work sessions. This group of playwrights include Lisa Dring, Minita Gandhi, Matthew Paul Olmos, a.k. payne, Justin Sherin, Vickie Ramirez, and Tristan B. Willis.

In January 2024, The Alcove at the Lortel will begin the first season of Conversations from the Alcove, an online series featuring conversations with playwrights on arts, ideas, craft, and the world. The season will include discussions with 10 playwrights with new episodes broadcasting twice a month.

Please visit www.Lortel.org for more information.