The Chicago Dramatists Resident Playwright program offers a uniquely nurturing environment to playwrights who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions to the American theatre. Our Resident playwrights comprise a diverse mix of established professionals and promising new writers who possess a wide range of artistic and stylistic interests.

Admittance to the program is by application only, and the perks of residency are offered at no cost for a three-year renewable term. what are those perks, you ask? read on. (and keep reading so you see the responsibilities, too.)

BENEFITS

A few of the many benefits available to our Resident playwrights include:

• Public readings—Giving the playwright the insight into his or her play that only comes with rehearsed presentation and audience feedback in a public forum
• Private readings—Allowing the playwright to hear his/her work early on with a small audience of trusted voices
• Workshopping opportunities—Granting the playwright the invaluable gift of extended rehearsal periods dedicated to development of the play
• Deadline Workshop participation—Offering the unique opportunity to work with the same actors over an extended period, and the “writing-on-demand” experience of meeting weekly deadlines
• Rehearsal space—Free access to the Chicago Dramatists rehearsal rooms (subject to availability) for independent dramaturgical meetings
• Talent coordination—Assisting the playwright by helping to ensure that his/her plays are presented at their best during development
• Online play catalog—Inclusion on the online list of Resident plays, exposing the playwright's work to potential producers
• Publication opportunity—Presenting the playwright with the opportunity for publication in an anthology of scripts developed at Chicago Dramatists
• Advocacy to Chicago theatres—Offering the unique advocacy of Chicago Dramatists Artistic Director Russ Tutterow on behalf of resident playwrights
• Invitations to production openings—Free admission to Chicago Dramatists productions

It's one helluva tasty program, right? The kind that makes a playwright want to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Even though our Resident playwrights do not pay for the perks of membership, they are expected to contribute to the life of the organization and the development of their fellow playwrights. Specifically, they are expected to:

• Write—Continually write and make use of Chicago Dramatists' programs
• Seek production—Actively pursue productions and accomplishments outside Chicago Dramatists
• Assist—Provide dramaturgical assistance to fellow playwrights by attending Saturday Series readings and moderating at the Network program First Draft Series
• Attend—Join their fellow Residents at three of the quarterly Resident playwright meetings each year
• Support—Participate in fundraising and promotional activities

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

For the full skinny on the Resident Playwright program, click here.

THE BOTTOM LINE

And do you still want to give application a go? Good for you. Here's how.