DGF Announces the Inaugural Recipients of the Writers Alliance Grants

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

The Dramatists Guild Foundation is thrilled to announce 10 writers and writing teams and 10 nonprofit theaters as the inaugural recipients of the DGF Writers Alliance Grants.

These Grants provide $5,000 to a writer and another $5,000 towards a theater’s production of that writer’s new work.

Each writer is one whose work pushes boundaries and shows tremendous promise. Each of the producing theaters demonstrated superlative ethical standards in supporting the livelihoods and careers of writers.

Writers Alliance Grants are an innovation on DGF’s previous theater program, which has supported theaters for 50 years. Writers Alliance Grants are awarded in celebration of working relationships that align deeply with DGF core values. These grants reflect DGF’s commitment to ensuring writers’ contributions to theater are respected and to changing the national conversation about how writers are treated by the institutions that produce their work.

Applicants were selected via committee on the strength of their contracts, the artistic merit of the project for which they are requesting funding, and the organization’s commitment to the production of new works and voices.

“After 55 years of giving to nonprofit theaters, our Board has restructured our former Theater Grant program into the Writers Alliance Grants. These awards honor our commitment to nonprofit theaters and give direct funds to the writers enriching their communities across the country. We believe that by honoring theaters with outstanding commitment to both the writers’ work and livelihood, we are doing our part to highlight the writers’ essential role in the creation of theater.” – Rachel Routh, Executive Director of DGF

The full list of recipients is as follows:

Writer: Meridith Friedman writer of Your Best One Theater: Curious Theatre Company in Denver, Colorado Production Dates: May 5 – June 16, 2018 www.curioustheatre.org

Writers: Gordon Leary and Julia Meinwald, writers of The Loneliest Girl in the World Theater: Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, CA Production Dates: May 24-July 1, 2018 / Official Premiere June 2 www.diversionary.org

Writers: Cameron Cobb, Michael Federico and Max Hartman, writers of Pompeii!! Theater: Kitchen Dog Theater Company in Dallas, Texas Production Dates: April 19-May 6, 2018 www.kitchendogtheater.org

Writer: Jenifer Nii, writer of The Weird Play Theater: Plan-B Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, UT Production Dates: March 1-11, 2018 www.planbtheatre.org

Writer: Kristiana Rae Colon, writer of Tilikum Theater: Sideshow Theatre Company in Chicago, IL Production Dates: June 22 – July 29, 2018 www.sideshowtheatre.org

Writer: Bekah Brunstetter, who is writing an original commission for the theater Theater: Theater Breaking Through Barriers in New York, NY Production Dates: TBA www.tbtb.org

Writer: Jennifer Barclay, writer of Ripe Frenzy Theater: Synchronicity Theatre in Atlanta, GA Production Dates: April 3 – 22, 2018 www.synchrotheatre.com

Writer: Eleanor Burgess, writer of The Niceties Theater: Portland Stage in Portland, ME Production Dates: April 3 – 22, 2018 www.portlandstage.org

Writer: Harrison David Rivers, writer of The Bitter Earth Theater: Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul, MN Production Dates: April 24 – May 20 2018 penumbratheatre.org

Writer: Tom Horan, writer of The Pill Theater: Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, IN Production Dates: TBA www.phoenixtheatre.org

Congratulations to each of these artists and theaters. We look forward to their continued success.

DGF Named one of Playbill’s 21 Theater-Related Charities to Donate to on #GivingTuesday

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

DGF was recently listed among a group of 21 nonprofits to support on #GivingTuesday by Playbill.  (full link below):

http://bit.ly/2BlGbKN

This year for #GivingTuesday DGF is giving out 2 tickets to Frozen on Broadway to one lucky person who donates $55 or more in the next 24 hours!

To enter, visit dgf.org/donate or text “DGF” to 41444.

DGF helps keep American theater alive by supporting the writers who create it. Our programs support over 16,000 writers annually including DGF Fellows Alumna and the writer of Frozen herself: Kristen Anderson-Lopez! Hear why she believes it is so crucial to support DGF today:

*Winner chosen at random. Offer only valid on November 28,2017-November 29, 2017*

DGF Elects New Vice President Kevin Hager

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

The Dramatists Guild Foundation Board of Directors is proud to announce it has just elected Kevin Hager to be its new Vice President. Mr. Hager succeeds former Vice President, award-winning composer, lyricist, and playwright Carol Hall (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas). “First, Kevin Hager said ‘Yes!’ to DGF and now he’s saying ‘Yes!’ to accepting the duties of Vice President of the Board.  I can think of no greater member of our organization to work with, side by side, as DGF heads into its most exciting phase yet.” – Andrew Lippa, President

Serving on the Board of Directors since 2010, Mr. Hager serves as the Chair of the Board Development and Succession Committee.“We are so fortunate to have Kevin join our Board’s leadership cabinet. He brings years of experience in strategy and results in nonprofit management and a deep passion for the theater. We know he will help take DGF to the next level in achieving our ambitious goals.” – Rachel Routh, Executive Director

Kevin Hager is currently the Managing Director of Understood.org and Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). In these roles he oversees all fundraising, communications, and online strategy and engagement. He led successful efforts to significantly increase total fundraising for the organization while simultaneously diversifying funding streams and increasing unrestricted revenue. Working with several of the top website, social media, PR, and strategic planning experts in the country, he led the process of creating a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan to scale the organization’s brand and more effectively engage key audiences. This resulted in the creation of a new, fully-funded, online strategy and engagement department overseen by Mr. Hager.

Prior to his work at NCLD, he managed the creation of the Center for Service Learning at the University of Kansas. Mr. Hager then moved into political campaigns, serving as the press secretary for a DCCC “Top 10 Race” and ultimately as campaign manager for a large municipal campaign before moving to New York to serve as the development director of DoSomething.org.

2017-18 Fellows Applications Extended

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

Applications now accepted for 2017-18 DGF Fellows

The Dramatists Guild Foundation and Program Chairs Michael Korie, Laurence O’Keefe, and Diana Son announce applications for the 2017-18 DGF Fellows Program are now open and encourage playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters to apply.

The Fellows program is a nine-month intensive designed to augment the training of American writers early in their careers and enhance the sense of community among playwrights and musical theater writers. Theater writers selected for the program meet with Program Chairs, guest artists, and industry professionals twice a month for feedback on their works in progress. Fellows also have regular sessions with experienced dramatists for one-on-one mentoring and, when possible, are offered continued development opportunities through partnering organizations.

To apply, visit http://fellows.dgfund.org/. Applications must be received no later than 5:30PM EST on April 14, 2017. Those selected for the program will begin in Fall 2017.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are eligible for the Fellows program if they meet at least one of the following qualifications: 1. Participation in a graduate program in theatrical writing within the last five years; or 2. Participation in an organized theatrical workshop within the last ten years; or 3. Comparable experience, such as one or more professional productions, and a recommendation by a theater professional or theater educator; or 4. Pertinent, documented practical experience.

All applicants must be residents of New York or the surrounding metropolitan area for the time of their fellowship. Applicants must also be prepared to meet on alternate Monday evenings of every month, and to make themselves available, if possible, to participate in observerships, assistantships, etc. when those opportunities arise.

For further submission guidelines and to apply, visit: http://fellows.dgfund.org/. Applications must be received no later than 5:30 PM EST on April 14, 2017.

About The Fellows program

The Fellows program is supported and administered by the Dramatists Guild Foundation. Each year, a select group of new theater writers are accepted into the nine-month program, which provides continued support and training through group sessions with theater professionals, one-on-one mentoring, and resources to establish lasting careers.

Former Fellows include: Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Academy Award winner, Frozen), Rajiv Joseph (Pulitzer Prize finalist, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Golden Globe for Best Original Song, LA LA Land), Deborah Zoe Laufer (ATCA Steinberg Award, End Days), and Adam Gwon (Fred Ebb and Richard Rodgers Award winner).

“When we moved to New York City in 2007 we got into the Fellows Program and were able to study with Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who were two of our theater gods at the time, and develop the skill set we needed to write for musical theater.”  – Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Traveling Master Caridad Svich Comes to Virginia

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

Dramatists Guild Foundation’s Traveling Masters program to feature playwright Caridad Svich

At Mary Baldwin University on February 18 & the University of Virginia on February 19

Caridad Svich (12 Ophelias, Magnificent Waste) leads a post-show Q&A of Blood Wedding at Mary Baldwin University (301 Deming Drive, Bottom Floor, Deming Fine Arts Center, Staunton, VA) on February 18 at 9:30 PM as part of the Dramatists Guild Foundation’s Traveling Masters program.

Post-show Q&A of Blood Wedding

Saturday, February 18th at 9:30 PM

Fletcher Collins Theatre

301 Deming Drive, Bottom Floor, Deming Fine Arts Center, Staunton, VA

The post-show Q&A with Caridad Svich is free to the public. No RSVP required.

Caridad Svich will also lead workshops with students at Mary Baldwin University on February 18 & University of Virginia on February 19 as part of the Traveling Masters program.

The Traveling Masters program is a national outreach program that brings prominent writers into communities across the country to lead master classes, workshops, talkbacks and other public events. Caridad joins over 30 other writers who have participated in the program nationwide. Traveling Masters have included Jason Robert Brown, Paula Vogel, Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Philip Kan Gotanda, Annie Baker, Daniel Beaty, Lisa Kron, Andrew Lippa, among others.

Videos from DGF’s Traveling Masters program with Paula Vogel (https://youtu.be/pElvzplm2H0) and DGF President Andrew Lippa (https://youtu.be/Hdav-julzZc).

About Blood Wedding

By Frederico Garcia Lorca, Translated by Caridad Svich, and Directed by Doreen Bechtol. Based on a true story of a young woman who abandons her husband on their wedding day, Lorca’s 20th-century classic captures the elemental forces of buried passions, betrayal, and revenge. Blood Wedding lyrically portrays young lovers who ultimately resist a life prescribed by family, community, and culture.

In performances February 15-19. Tickets available at www.marybaldwin.edu/arts/theatre/.

Caridad Svich received a 2012 OBIE Award for Lifetime Achievement in the theatre, a 2012 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and NNPN rolling world premiere for Guapa, and the 2011 American Theatre Critics Association Primus Prize for her play The House of the Spirits, based Isabel Allende’s novel. She has won the National Latino Playwriting Award (sponsored by Arizona Theatre Company) twice, including in the year 2013 for her play Spark. She has been short-listed for the PEN Award in Drama four times, including in the year 2012 for her play Magnificent Waste.

Key works in her repertoire include 12 Ophelias, Iphigenia Crash Land Falls on the Neon Shell That Was Once Her Heart, and JARMAN (all this maddening beauty). She has also adapted for the stage novels by Mario Vargas Llosa, Julia Alvarez and Jose Leon Sanchez, and reconfigured works from Wedekind, Euripides, Sophocles, and Shakespeare. In 2017, Corazon Eterno premieres at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis and Rep Theatre of St. Louis, and De Troya premieres at Cara Mia Theatre in Dallas, Texas.

Her works are published by TCG, Smith & Kraus, Playscripts, Intellect UK, Broadway Play Publishing and more. She has edited several books on theatre including Audience Revolution: Dispatches from the Field (TCG, 2016) She is currently editing a book on playwriting for Methuen UK.

She is associate editor of Contemporary Theatre Review for Routledge, UK. She is alumna playwright of New Dramatists. She holds an MFA in Theatre-Playwriting from UCSD. She teaches creative writing and playwriting at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Primary Stages’ Einhorn School of Performing Arts. She has taught playwriting at Bard, Barnard, Bennington, Denison, Ohio State, ScriptWorks, and Yale School of Drama. Website: http://www.caridadsvich.com

Steve Yockey kicks off DGF’s Traveling Masters Program in 2017

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Dramatists Guild Foundation

Dramatists Guild Foundation’s Traveling Masters program to feature playwright Steve Yockey
At Mesa Community College February 16 & 17 during Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII

Steve Yockey (Very Still & Hard to See, Blackberry Winter) joins the Dramatists Guild Foundation’s Traveling Masters program to work with student writers and offer feedback on their plays at Mesa Community College on February 16 & 17, during the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

The Traveling Masters program is a national outreach program that brings prominent writers into communities across the country to lead master classes, workshops, talkbacks and other public events. Steve Yockey, award-winning playwright of Very Still & Hard to See and Joshua Consumed an Unfortunate Pear, will be the first Traveling Master for the DGF in 2017.

Steve joins over 30 other writers who have participated in the program nationwide. Traveling Masters have included Jason Robert Brown, Paula Vogel, Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Philip Kan Gotanda, Annie Baker, Daniel Beaty, Lisa Kron, Andrew Lippa, among others.

Videos from DGF’s Traveling Masters program with Paula Vogel (https://youtu.be/pElvzplm2H0) and DGF President Andrew Lippa (https://youtu.be/Hdav-julzZc).

Steve Yockey is a Los Angeles based writer with work produced throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. His plays Bellwether, Pluto, Afterlife, Octopus, Large Animal Games, CARTOON, Subculture, Very Still & Hard to See, The Fisherman’s Wife, Wolves, Disassembly, and Niagara Falls & Other Plays are published and available from Samuel French. Additionally, his play Joshua Consumed an Unfortunate Pear was included in the 2015 Humana Festival of New American Plays and the subsequent published anthology.  This season, Steve’s new play Blackberry Winter opened across the country as a National New Play Network rolling world premiere at Salt Lake Acting Company, Actor’s Express, Out of Hand, Capital Stage, New Rep, Forum Theatre, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, and Kitchen Dog. Actor’s Express and Kitchen Dog also joined San Francisco’s Custom Made Theatre this season in producing The Thrush & The Woodpecker. Steve was one of two writers selected for the first US/Australia playwright exchange in 2013, taking his play Pluto to the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, NSW and the National Australian Play Festival in Perth, Western Australia.  He holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Steve contributes issues to the Zenescope comic book series Grimm Tales of Terror and writes for MTV’s Scream and CW’s Supernatural. He is currently developing the dark comedy series Cindy Snow for Warner Bros/A&E/Lifetime and the digital horror series Hide for Warner Bros and Full Screen.