fbpx Playwright Residencies | HowlRound Theatre Commons
Howlround Theater Commons Home Page

Playwright Residencies

Having a playwright-in-residence at a theatre or other organization can have huge benefits for the writer, the organization, and the community. Much of the content in this section is about or generated by participants in the National Playwright Residency Program, which HowlRound administers in partnership with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Don’t miss this series of conversations between playwrights in the program discussing what they’ve learned from being embedded within a theatre company.

The Latest

Representation Behind the Scenes
Podcast
Representation Behind the Scenes
With Betty Shamieh & Tracy Francis
by Marina J. Bergenstock, Nabra Nelson, Tracy Cameron Francis, BETTY SHAMIEH
6 April 2022
The Fight for the Right to Vote
Essay
The Fight for the Right to Vote
by Carlyle Brown, Todd London
13 January 2022
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Ensemble Theatre: UNIVERSES
Podcast
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Ensemble Theatre: UNIVERSES
by Jeffrey Mosser, Alison Carey, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, Steven Sapp
22 December 2021
Kunafa and Shay Teaser Image.
Representation Behind the Scenes
Podcast

Representation Behind the Scenes

With Betty Shamieh & Tracy Francis

6 April 2022

Last season we talked about on-stage representation in contemporary theatre. But what does representation look like behind the scenes and why is it important? How does the process change when there are MENA creative team members, production staff, directors, and playwrights involved from the inception of a project to its closing night? What role does this representation play in new work development? We will discuss all of this and more with playwright Betty Shamieh and artistic director of Boom Arts Tracy Francis as they share their past experiences, insight, and ideas for the future.

Close on the faces of three actors staring into the camera.
The Fight for the Right to Vote
Essay

The Fight for the Right to Vote

13 January 2022

Carlyle Brown’s Down in Mississippi is a celebration of a movement that gave birth to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Brown sat down with Todd London in October 2020 to discuss the creative process, historical context, and contemporary resonance of his play.

From The Ground Up Title.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Ensemble Theatre: UNIVERSES
Podcast

Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Ensemble Theatre: UNIVERSES

22 December 2021

Alison Carey, formerly of Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp and Steven Sapp, co-founders and artistic directors of UNIVERSES, discuss putting ensemble producers inside a major producing entity and the capacity necessary for things to fall into place.

Ten people on a Zoom call.
How Do We Go On?
Essay

How Do We Go On?

14 December 2021

E.M. Lewis and a group of theatre artists connected with Artists Repertory Theatre come together to mark the ways they make it through the strange, dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite prolonged uncertainty across the theatre industry and the world, they find community in one another and strength in storytelling.

event poster for demystifying the playwriting process event.
Demystifying the Playwriting Process, Part Two
WP Theater logo.
WP Theater
Video

Demystifying the Playwriting Process, Part Two

With Madeleine George, Basil Kreimendahl and Cori Thomas

Tuesday 7 December 2021
New York City

WP Theater presented Demystifying the Playwriting Process, Part Two with Madeleine George, Basil Kreimendahl and Cori Thomas livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network Tuesday 7 December at 5 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 7 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 8 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

A woman facing her back to three men and another woman.
The Mother of All Emotions
Essay

The Mother of All Emotions

7 December 2021

Playwright, author, screenwriter, and actor Betty Shamieh discusses her experience navigating the complexities of new motherhood as a woman in the theatre industry.

poster for the panel discussion.
Adaptation and New Creation
In the margin's logo.
In The Margin
Juvenilia logo.
The Juvenilia Collective
Breaking Wave Theatre Company
B Street Theatre logo.
B Street Theatre
WOMB, the creation space
Urban Jazz Dance Company logo.
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

Adaptation and New Creation

Featuring Meme Garcia, Lauren Gunderson, Avi Amon, Réal Vargas Alanis, and Fran Astorga

Thursday 21 October 2021
United States

In this panel invited playwrights featured a part of the New American Theatre Festival discuss their process of creation and adaptation. Playwrights include Avi Amon, Lauren Gunderson, Réal Alanis, Meme Garcia and Fran Astorga. The conversation will be moderated by Amrita Ramanan. We will discuss with each writer leaning into the power of joy and decentering the tropes of trauma.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Panel: Native Women Leading
In the margin's logo.
In The Margin
Video

Indigenous Peoples' Day Panel: Native Women Leading

Featuring Lofanitani Aisea, Jeanette Harrison, Murielle Borst-Tarrant, Moderated by Amber Ball (Dakubetede, Shasta, Modoc, Klamath)

Monday 11 October 2021
Turtle Island (North America)

In this conversation we discuss artistic leadership, practices, and methodology from an Indigenous perspective. It is our goal to highlight and amplify the work these three Native women continue to contribute to the arts world. Livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network on Monday 11 October 2021 at 12 p.m. HST (Honolulu, UTC -10) / 2 p.m. AKDT (Juneau, UTC -8) / 3 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. MDT (Albuquerque, UTC -6) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

artist headshots on red background with wu tang clan logo and text mu tang clan.
Mu Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to F### With
Theater Mu
Video

Mu Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to F### With

Asian American Playwrights on Craft

Monday 30 August 2021
United States

Theater Mu presented a conversation: Mu Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to F### With livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 30 August 2021.

close-up of a performer standing in front of a tropical plant.
Curating with Playwright-In-Residence Star Finch — "A Feast of Resilience"
drawings of faces with text CAMPO SANTO
Campo Santo
letters C F T scribbled in orange
Crowded Fire
Video

Curating with Playwright-In-Residence Star Finch — "A Feast of Resilience"

A playwright curated event for the Campo Santo / Crowded Fire National Playwright Residency Program from the Andrew Mellon Foundation

Saturday 28 August 2021
San Francisco, California

Discussing and sharing playwright-in-residence Star Finch's first curated event for the Campo Santo / Crowded Fire National Playwright Residency Program from the Andrew Mellon Foundation. Livestreamed on the commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Saturday 28 August 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black background with white text taylor talks above black and white portraits of artists.
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 10: Maiko Kikuchi and Spencer Lott

Tuesday 1 June 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 10 with Maiko Kikuchi and Spencer Lott livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 1 June 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Illustration by Silent Fox, inspired by the essay.
Post-Apocalyptic Theatre on Native Land
Essay

Post-Apocalyptic Theatre on Native Land

28 May 2021

Vera Starbard wonders if the time of the American theatre has come to an end and imagines the future of the performing arts looking a lot like it did in the past, pre-colonization.

A man inflating a mirror with curtains.
What Theatre Do We Want to Return To?
Essay

What Theatre Do We Want to Return To?

27 May 2021

Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza sit down to discuss how COVID has forced a breakup between artists and theatres and what it will take to get back together again.

black background with white text taylor talks above black and white portraits of artists.
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 9: Normandy Sherwood

Tuesday 18 May 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 9 with Normandy Sherwood livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 18 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black background with white text taylor talks above black and white portraits of artists
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 8: Sachiyo Takahashi & gamin

Tuesday 4 May 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 8 with Sachiyo Takahashi & gamin livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 4 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

black background with white text taylor talks above black and white portraits of artists
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 7: Minor Theater

Tuesday 20 April 2021
United States

HERE presents Taylor Talks: Episode 7 with Minor Theater livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 20 April 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

white text taylor talks on black background with black and white portraits of taylor mac, Ximena Garnica, and Shige Moriya.
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 6: Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya

Tuesday 6 April 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 6 with Ximena Garnica & Shige Moriya livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 4 April 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

portrait of gelsey and taylor against a black background with white text TAYLOR TALKS.
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 5: Gelsey Bell

Tuesday 23 March 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 5 with Gelsey Bell livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 23 March 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 4: Nia Witherspoon

Tuesday 9 March 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 4 with Nia Witherspoon livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 9 March 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

a large group sitting in a circle watching a staged reading
How Sustained Support for Playwrights Impacts Artistry
Essay

How Sustained Support for Playwrights Impacts Artistry

National Playwright Residency Program Evaluation 2020

1 March 2021

Alexis Frasz and Holly Sidford of Helicon Collaborative share their findings from the most recent assessment of the National Playwright Residency Program.

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 3: Misha Chowdhury

Tuesday 23 February 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 3 with Misha Chowdhury livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 10 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 1 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Murielle Borst-Tarrant, title of event, and logos for Pangea and A2A.
Master Class with Murielle Borst-Tarrant
pangea world theater's logo
Pangea
Art2Action
Video

Master Class with Murielle Borst-Tarrant

With the National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation

Saturday 20 February 2021
United States

Pangea World Theater and Art2Action presented a conversation about directing with Murielle Borst-Tarrant livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 20 February 2021 at 2:30 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 4:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 5:30 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 2: Baba Israel & Grace Galu

Tuesday 9 February 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks: Episode 2 with Baba Israel & Grace Galu livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 9 February 2021 at 10 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 1 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

2021 Reflections of Native Voices Festival Closing Reflections
Safe Harbors NYC
Video

2021 Reflections of Native Voices Festival Closing Reflections

In conversation with Reflections of Native Voices artists

Sunday 7 February 2021
United States

Safe Harbors presented the 2021 Reflections of Native Voices Festival Closing Reflections livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 7 February at 1:30 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 3:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 4:30 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

event poster for taylor talks episode one.
Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac
HERE Arts Center
Video

Taylor Talks: HERE Resident Artists talk art & process with Taylor Mac

Episode 1: Gisela Cardenas

Tuesday 26 January 2021
United States

HERE presented Taylor Talks with Gisela Cardenas livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 26 January 2021 at 10 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 1 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).