 The heart of WP’s artistic programming is a free, two-year Lab for emerging and midcareer female Playwrights, Directors, and Producers. The Lab is an artistic home for members to share work, hone craft, receive coaching, and springboard themselves into the next step of their careers. Members collaborate with guest artists, WP staff, industry professionals, and other Lab participants to advance specific theatrical projects and get new work on stage, in NYC and beyond.
WP is committed to providing Lab artists with real production opportunities. The majority of WP’s most recent mainstage productions have sprung from the Labs: from Kathryn Walat's VICTORIA MARTIN: MATH TEAM QUEEN to Lear deBessonet's TRANSFIGURES, from Daniella Topol at the helm of SAND to Liz Diamond's direction of CROOKED, and including our most recent production of Saviana Stanescu's critically acclaimed ALIENS WITH EXTRAORDINARY SKILLS.
Additionally, WP produces annually the world premiere of a site-specific production that allows WP Lab members to paint New York City's public spaces with human drama. In 2007, WP presented GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUND$ at the World Financial Center; the work was entirely written, directed, and line-produced by Lab members. In 2008, WP presented CORPORATE CARNIVAL at the World Financial Center, a piece created by a collaborative team led by Lab member Jyana Gregory. Lab members are currently working on GLOBAL COOLING: THE WOMEN CHILL for production at the World Financial Center from June 3-7, 2009.
In 2006, WP received its first artist commissioning grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), which allowed WP to name Lab member Saviana Stanescu its Playwright-in-Residence for 2007. Lab member Katori Hall was recipient of the WP's 2008 NYSCA-sponsored commissioning grant, and her new play WHADDA BLOODCLOT is presently in development for future mainstage production.
In December 2007, WP launched HOTHOUSE, a developmental series for new plays created by current Lab members and Lab alumnae. The inaugural production was WAPATO, by Lab playwright Peggy Stafford, and directed by Lab alumna Rebecca Patterson. Hothouse allows for up to 5 weeks of rehearsal and up to 6 public performances with a professional cast and full creative team. In Spring 2009, WP will present its second Hothouse production, a new work by Lab alumna Carson Kreitzer, directed by Lab alumna Anne Kauffman.
WP offers unparalleled developmental and production opportunities for women theater artists through its Labs. Through commissioning, production, promotion, and professional mentoring, we help to insure that women theater artists achieve the industry attention and career advancement opportunities they so richly deserve, but rarely receive.
The current Lab members--selected following a highly-competitve application process--are in residency at WP from September 2008 to May 2010. Click below to meet them! Selection for the 2010-2012 Labs will begin in November 2009. Please check back for application procedures closer to that date.
PLAYWRIGHTS LAB
Members of the Playwrights Lab workshop plays in progress; participate in guided discussions
with prominent artistic directors, agents, and other industry
professionals; and collaborate with Lab Directors and Producers on new artistic adventures.
"Thanks to the Women's Project, I've formed friendships and professional partnerships that have already become a permanent part my writing life. I am simply a better writer, and a more aware theatre artist, from having been part of the Lab." --Christina Gorman, Playwrights Lab 2006-2008
"The Playwrights Lab at the Women's Project
is one of the best things to happen to my career. The
connection I've felt both to the Women's Project, as an artistic home,
and to the writers and directors in the Lab when I encounter them in
other theatrical contexts, has had a significant impact on my life
and work as an emerging playwright."--Kathryn Walat, Playwrights Lab 2004-2008
click here for current Lab playwrights
click
here for 2006-2008 playwrights
click here for 2004-2006
playwrights
"It is a rare and wonderful feeling to be in
a collaborative room with fellow directors. The Directors Lab is not
a place where people are vying for opportunities - it is truly about
learning from one another - and creating a community for the exchange
of ideas. And the partnership with the Playwrights Lab is ideal! I
have met some wonderfully passionate and creative writers, and I am
confident that we will all continue to cook up some great projects
and collaborations with one another in years to come."
- Daniella Topol, Directors Lab 2004-2008
click here for current Lab directors
click
here for 2006-2008 directors
click
here for 2004-2006 directorsPRODUCERS LAB
The Producers Lab, which kicked off in September 2006, works
to extend the influence of promising women theater producers
by offering opportunities to collaborate with other theater artists, connect with industry professionals, and advance specific theatrical projects. The Producers Lab is founded on a firm belief in the power of "creative producing," and strives to make its members equally at home analyzing plays and financial statements.
"I am incredibly proud to have been a part of the inaugural Producers
Lab at Women's Project. What a network of talented people! To sit in a room every month and share everything from nitty gritty practical knowledge to our largest ambitions for the field, and then to get to put everything into practice and actually PRODUCE for Women's Project at the World Financial Center was an extraordinary and important experience for me. The Lab's potential is astounding! --Maria Goyanes, Producers Lab 2006-2008
click
here for current producers
click here for 2006-2008 producers |
