Public Accepting Applications for Emerging Writers Group

Expanding on its 50-year history of developing new plays and cultivating new voices for the American Theater, The Public Theater is now accepting applications for The Emerging Writers Group, a new initiative that seeks to target playwrights at the earliest stages in their careers and nurture their artistic growth by providing necessary resources and support. In doing so, The Public hopes to create an artistic home for a diverse and exceptionally talented group of up-and-coming playwrights.  This program is the first program of The Public Writers Initiative, a long-term program that will provide key support and resources for writers at every stage of their careers. Time Warner is the Founding Sponsor of The Public Writers Initiative. 

"The Public Writers Initiative will foster a web of supportive artistic relationships across generations of writers that will influence the future of contemporary American theater. Many of today's most honored and recognized playwrights such as John Guare, Suzan-Lori Parks, David Rabe, Christopher Durang, Wallace Shawn, Ntozake Shange, Sam Shepard, Tony Kushner and Nilo Cruz have a long history developing their work at The Public. The Public has also produced some of today's most important plays and musicals, such as Hair, Sticks and Bones, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, The Colored Museum, Topdog/Underdog, Caroline, Or Change, and A Chorus Line.  The Public Writers Initiative will ensure that The Public's great tradition of supporting playwrights and playwriting will remain central to its future," according to press notes.

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis stated "The Public Theater was founded to give a stage for the full diversity of American voices.  The Public Writers Initiative will allow us to provide a home to the writers we believe in, and encourage them to address the great issues of the time."

Through an open application process, the Public Theater will select 12-15 emerging playwrights to join the Emerging Writers Group for one year. Selected playwrights will receive a $3000 stipend. They will also participate in a biweekly writers group led by the Public's Literary Department and master classes with established playwrights. Additionally, they will have a chance to observe or assist playwrights in rehearsal for a production at the Public. Career development advice and artistic support will be provided by a variety of successful writers and the Public artistic staff. Works by Emerging Writers will be presented in at least one reading at The Public. Members of the group will also receive complimentary tickets to Public Theater shows and a supplemental stipend for tickets to productions at other theaters.

Materials must be postmarked by August 31st or received at The Public Theater by midnight on the 31st. Finalists will be contacted in mid-October to set up in-person interviews, to be held October 22-28, 2007 at The Public Theater. Selected participants will be notified by November 1, 2007. The program will begin the week of November 5, 2007 and conclude by the week of November 1, 2008.

"The Public Writers Initiative will fall under the auspices of the LuEsther Lab, named for the late LuEsther T. Mertz, who was a major benefactor of The Public and Chair of its Board from 1973 to 1987. The LuEsther Lab provides creative and financial support for artists at all stages in their careers through commissions, residencies, readings and workshops that have proven fundamental to The Public's artistic success.

In addition to the Emerging Writers Group, The Public Writers Initiative will also significantly increase the number of readings, workshops and commissions for writers at all stages of their careers.  Artistic development of this nature is at the core of The Public's mission and is critical to helping the institution and writers develop new work for the theater.  By providing apprenticeships and master classes, inviting the community of writers to attend all in-house readings and workshops and participate in general field discussions, The Public will create additional points of intersection for writers across generations to interact, build relationships and find mutual creative inspiration."

Visit www.publictheater.org/artists/emergingwriters.php for application and eligibility guidelines. Please email EWGquestions@publictheater.org with any questions.

Visit www.publictheater.com for more information.

 

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