Public Theater Now Accepting Applications for 2015 Emerging Writers Group Through 8/30

Expanding on its history of developing new plays and cultivating new voices for the American theater, The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) is now accepting applications for its fifth cycle of the Emerging Writers Group¸ an initiative that seeks to target playwrights at the earliest stages in their career, creating an artistic home, support, and resources for a diverse group of up-and-coming playwrights.

The Emerging Writers Group is a component of The Public Writers Initiative, a long-term program that provides key support and resources for writers at every stage of their careers. The Public Writers Initiative creates a fertile community and fosters a web of supportive artistic relationships across generations. Time Warner is the Founding Sponsor of The Public Writers Initiative.

"The Emerging Writers Group has become a cherished and central part of The Public Theater's program, a brilliant point of entry for a spectacularly talented and gorgeously diverse group of writers," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "EWG is a wonderful affirmation of the democratic basis of the theater, and we are honored to be starting its fifth cycle."

"The driving force behind Time Warner is our passion for sharing stories from the most talented and creative voices in our industries," said Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Chief Diversity Officer and SVP of Corporate Responsibility at Time Warner Inc. "Our investment in The Public Theater to create the Emerging Writers Group aligns with this passion for storytelling, and we are incredibly proud of their track record in discovering and nurturing new talent."

In just five years, The Public's Emerging Writers Group has nurtured numerous playwrights who have gone on to have their plays staged at The Public and elsewhere around the country. The Public's recent production of Detroit '67, written by Dominique Morisseau, marked the fifth work presented at The Public by a member of the Emerging Writers Group. The Obie Award-winning No Place To Go, written by Emerging Writers Group alum Ethan Lipton, was presented at Joe's Pub at The Public in March 2012. Emerging Writers Group alum Mona Mansour's Urge For Going was presented in The Public Lab in March 2011, as well as Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Neighbors in February 2010 and Raúl Castillo's Knives and Other Sharp Objects in March 2009.

Through an open application process, The Public Theater will select 10 emerging playwrights to join the Emerging Writers Group from January 2014 through December 2015.

Selected playwrights will receive a $6,000 stipend. Works by Emerging Writers Group members will be presented in at least one reading at The Public. They will also participate in a biweekly writers group led by The Public's Literary Department and master classes led by established playwrights. Additionally, they will have a chance to observe rehearsals for productions at The Public, receive career development advice from mid-career and established writers, and receive artistic and professional support from the literary department and Public artistic staff. Members of the group will also receive complimentary tickets to Public Theater shows, invited dress rehearsals, and other special events, as well as a supplemental stipend for tickets to productions at other theaters.

Visit www.publictheater.org for application form and guidelines.

Materials must be postmarked by August 30, received at The Public Theater, or emailed by midnight EST on August 30. Finalists will be contacted by early December to set up in-person interviews to be held at The Public Theater. All participants will be notified of their status by mid-late December 2013. The program will begin in January 2014 and continue through the end of December 2015.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILTY:

• Cannot have professional representation for playwriting including, but not limited to: an agent, manager, or lawyer.

• Cannot be a full-time student during the duration of the program.

• Cannot be enrolled in any academic playwriting course during the duration of the program.

• Must not have had any productions in New York other than those using the showcase code or in an Off-Off-Broadway theater with 99 or fewer seats. (If your New York show used a higher contract tier than the showcase code, you are not eligible to apply. If your New York show received a festival production in a theater with more than 99 seats and did not use an equity contract, you are eligible to apply).

• Must live within 90 minutes of The Public Theater via car or rail.

• Must be able to attend evening meetings at The Public Theater every other week in 2014, as well as other events throughout the year, such as master classes, retreats, observerships, and other special events at The Public.

• Must be available for an in-person interview in early December 2013.

The Public Theater will select the strongest candidates based on the overall strength of the applicant's play submission, artistic statement, and interview. The Public will look for candidates from diverse backgrounds who show tremendous artistic promise and talent, as well as responsible and dedicated individuals who are serious about a career in the theater. The Public is especially interested in playwrights who have not begun their writing careers via the traditional channels. The selection committee will be comprised of Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Mandy Hackett, Associate Artistic Director; Liz Frankel, Literary Manager; and other full-time artistic staff.

Applicants with questions are encouraged to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on The Public's website; questions not answered there may be emailed to EWGquestions@publictheater.org.

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