National New Play Network Adds San Diego Rep as 26th Member

The NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK (NNPN), the country's alliance of non-profit theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays, has added its 26th member, San Diego REPertory Theatre, and approved guidelines for a new Associate Membership category which will greatly broaden the Network's reach. The decisions were made by the organization's Board of Directors at its Annual Conference on June 8 in Kansas City, MO, hosted by member Unicorn Theatre Company.

NETWORK ADDS SAN DIEGO REP AS 26th MEMBER
Founded in 1976, San Diego REPertory Theatre is downtown San Diego's resident theater, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values. The company produces and hosts over 300 events and performances year-round on three stages at the Lyceum Theatre; since its move to the Lyceum, the REP has produced 39 mainstage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The much-heralded company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, BackStage West, Dramalogue, and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented the REP with the Craig Noel Award "For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity."

"The REP's longstanding commitment to new and nontraditional voices makes them a perfect fit for the Network," said Jason Loewith, NNPN's Executive Director. "Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and his team are respected as leaders in the field, and our members look forward to long and fruitful collaborations with them." San Diego REP's membership in the Network makes them eligible for grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars, including Playwright and Producer Residencies, Commissions, and the Continued Life of New Plays Fund.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP TO BROADEN NETWORK'S REACH
The Board of Directors of the National New Play Network approved the creation of a new Associate Membership class, extending select benefits – including participation in the Network's flagship program, the Continued Life of New Plays Fund – to producing entities and MFA Playwriting programs beginning August 1. Associate Members will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Core Members of the Network at its National Showcase of New Plays, access new work via NNPN's Virtual Script Library, and pitch plays to other members via the Collaborative Literary Office. Eligibility rules, application materials and full benefits will be available at www.nnpn.org on August 1.

"While the Network strategically grows its Core Membership," said NNPN President Ryan Rilette, "Associate Membership will immediately open pipelines to and from the Network for plays and playwrights of merit to gain productions and greater attention on the national level. With dozens of theaters eager to collaborate with NNPN, Associate Membership gives us a tool to do that without requiring such active participation and governance from all of them."

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