New Voices: Creating the Classics of Tomorrow

Melisa Pereyra directs a Winter Words play reading of Nilo Cruz's Anna in the Tropics.

A new play development project from American Players Theatre

As an organization that has dedicated 40 years to classical plays, we find ourselves questioning what "classical" means to us today. New Voices: Creating the Classics of Tomorrow is a first step in addressing this question. We want to expand the lens of the classical canon by focusing on candidates for this project that are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. 

We are seeking poetic, language-driven plays with a multiracial cast of nine actors or less, inspired by themes that are both contemporary and ancient; plays that represent the cultural complexity of our U.S. history. 

The chosen playwright will receive a $15,000 stipend, extensive workshops, a public reading, and a potential future production. There is no submission fee. 

To Apply

• Fill out the online application below and submit your resume.
• Please submit a 500-word synopsis of the story you want to explore and share with us how your idea aligns with this project.
• Submit a writing sample that you feel best fulfills the goals of this project.

PHASE 1: Initial Applications

• Submissions Open: April 1, 2021
• Submissions Close: June 1, 2021 or when the first 200 candidates have applied, whichever comes first. 

PHASE 2: Finalist Screening

August 1, 2021: Twenty candidates will be selected to enter this phase. Candidates will be asked to:

• Submit an Artist's Statement up to 250 words.
• Submit 10 pages of the script you wish to develop for this project. 
• Interview with the Artistic Director.

PHASE 3: The Project Begins

October 1, 2021: Playwright will be chosen and notified.

The playwright will have the following responsibilities:

• First Draft Due:  March 31, 2022
• Workshop First Draft with actors:  April 2022

Playwright must be available in-person for a two-week residency in Spring Green, WI during this time, exact dates to be determined. (Public health restrictions permitting.)

In-house reading of First Draft.

• Second Draft Due:  October 31, 2022
• Workshop Second Draft with actors:  November, 2022

Playwright must be available in-person for a two-week residency in Spring Green, WI during this time, exact dates to be determined. (Public health restrictions permitting.)

FINAL DRAFT DUE:  February 1, 2023

• Public reading in 2023, date to be determined.
• Playwright will also have access to:
• Housing available upon request.
• Artistic Director available at your disposal for feedback.
• Selection Committee available at your disposal for feedback. 
• Core Company of actors available at your disposal for workshops and readings. 

Interested parties should begin by completing the form below. If the form doesn't immediately appear, please refresh your browser.