The Lucille Lortel Theatre, which recently purchased a new theatre space in Chelsea and appointed two new co-artistic directors, has announced a new play development program designed to support new works by early- and mid-career playwrights.
Called The Alcove at the Lortel, the program will be led and curated by Caridad Svich, who has been named the artistic director of new play development. Micro commissions will be awarded through the program, in addition to work sessions, mentorship, and readings.
“At a time when the theatre industry is struggling and in flux, The Alcove at the Lortel, a new play development program, is a place to seed dreams and innovative writing for performance," said Svich. "Whether you are an early-career or mid-career playwright, the fact remains that being supported and nurtured through a process of development and eventually production is vital. Every step along a play’s journey matters. The Alcove at the Lortel can be the first step toward the realization and making of a body of new works for performance reflective of the breadth and depth of artistry and perspectives in the national and global theatre realm. Our goal is simple: support artists on their respective trajectories and honor the resiliency it takes to create art at all times."
The first round of 10 micro commissions were awarded in April to Terence Antony, Mathilde Dratwa, Rudi Goblen, Deborah Zoe Laufer, Mildred Lewis, Dan O’Brien, Mónica Sánchez, ruth tang, Jesus I. Valles, and Calamity West. Each playwright has been paired with a dramaturg to aid in their development period. Participating dramaturgs in the initial round include Emma Dorfman, Hannah Gellman, Elly Green, Sarah Rose Leonard, Adil Mansoor, Tatiana Pandiani, Christian Parker, Nick Ruizorvis, Arminda Thomas, and Sebastian Eddowes Vargas.
A second round of micro commissions will be awarded in the fall. In addition to the commission program, The Alcove will develop two addition emerging works through translation, research, and readings.
For more information, visit Lortel.org.
