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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

What Is the African Diaspora?
Video
What Is the African Diaspora?
A Conversation About Afro-Atlantic Culture with Playwright Zainabu Jallo and Africana Scholar Maboula Soumahoro
Sunday 15 October 2023
Minneapolis, MN
A Cypher Among Theatremakers from the Laotian Diaspora
Essay
A Cypher Among Theatremakers from the Laotian Diaspora
by Saymoukda Vongsay, Ova Saopeng, Samson Syharath, Kaysone Syonesa, Lidet Viravong
7 September 2023
On Collaborative Evolution with Friendship at its Core
Essay
On Collaborative Evolution with Friendship at its Core
by Carlyle Brown, Noël Raymond
21 August 2023
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
Art to Action logo.
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).

Two people with speech bubbles, one saying "Can we talk about elitism in American theater" and the other responding "Um, yes please."
Get Off Your High Horse
Ambiance Theatre Company
Video

Get Off Your High Horse

Why Elitism doesn't work for BIPOC Theatremakers

Monday 11 January 2020
United States

Ambiance Theatre Company presented the conversation Get Off Your High Horse livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 11 January 2021 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

event poster of demystifying the process.
De-Mystifying the Playwriting Process
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
Video

De-Mystifying the Playwriting Process

With Basil Kreimendahl with Madeleine George and Cori Thomas

Tuesday 15 December 2020
United States

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presented De-Mystifying the Playwriting Process with Basil Kreimendahl with Madeleine George and Cori Thomas livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 15 December at 2 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 4 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 5 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

The Inciting Incident: Art Activism, Social Justice, and Youth Theatre after COVID
Map of the United States overlaid with the text enough, plays to end gun violence.
#ENOUGH
Video

The Inciting Incident: Art Activism, Social Justice, and Youth Theatre after COVID

Panel Discussion with Hallie Gordon, Barbara Pitts McAdams, Michael Rohd, and Willa Taylor

Tuesday 15 December 2020
United States

#ENOUGH presented The Inciting Incident: Art Activism, Social Justice, and Youth Theatre after COVID livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 15 December 2020 at 12 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 2 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 3 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Next Generation Voices: Social Change, Youth Activism, and Writing the Future You Want To See
Map of the United States overlaid with the text enough, plays to end gun violence.
#ENOUGH
Video

Next Generation Voices: Social Change, Youth Activism, and Writing the Future You Want To See

Hosted by Lauren Gunderson and featuring #ENOUGH young playwrights

Sunday 13 December 2020
United States

#ENOUGH presented Next Generation Voices: Social Change, Youth Activism & Writing the Future You Want To See after COVID livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 13 December 2020 at 3:30 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 5:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 6:30 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Collage of panelists' photos, with text displaying title of event and description.
Native Theatre: Where Are We Now?
Safe Harbors NYC
Video

Native Theatre: Where Are We Now?

Examining diversity and equal equity in sovereign decolonized Indigenous spaces against White Supremacy

Monday 2 November 2020
United States

Safe Harbors NYC presented the conversation Native Theatre: Where Are We Now? livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 2 November 2020 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

six people posing for a photo
We Need to Invest in Writers
Essay

We Need to Invest in Writers

Learnings from Administering the National Playwright Residency Program

29 October 2020

Ramona Rose King shares learnings from five years of working on the National Playwright Residency Program (NPRP) and argues that if we want to reinvigorate our art form and come back from this lull with vibrant, groundbreaking work, we need to invest in the artists who are making it.

Photo of three conversation participants, with the event title and producers listed.
On Radical Imagination and The Black Feminine Divine
letters C F T scribbled in orange
Crowded Fire
drawings of faces with text CAMPO SANTO
Campo Santo
Video

On Radical Imagination and The Black Feminine Divine

With Star Finch, Ellen Sebastian Chang, and Lisa Marie Rollins, presented by Crowded Fire and Campo Santo.

Tuesday 27 October 2020
United States

Crowded Fire and Campo Santo presented the conversation On Radical Imagination & The Black Feminine Divine livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 2 p.m. HST (UTC -9) / 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Psalm's Salons at Studio
black text studio theatre
Studio Theatre
Video

Psalm's Salons at Studio

A virtual dance party with conversation in collaboration with theatre-maker and emcee Psalmayene 24

Thursday 22 October 2020
United States

Studio Theatre presented Psalm's Salons at Studio livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 22 October at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

Artists on the Frontlines: Creativity and Change During COVID-19
CAATA
Video

Artists on the Frontlines: Creativity and Change During COVID-19

Part of Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists’ ConFest Virtual Series

Monday 12 October 2020
United States

Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (CAATA) presented the third episode of its ongoing monthly ConFest Virtual Series, “Artists on the Frontlines: Creativity & Change During COVID-19” livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 1 p.m. HST (Hawai'i, UTC -10) / 3 p.m. AKDT (Juneau, UTC -8) / 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 5 p.m. MDT (Denver, UTC -6) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / and 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

A Black person holding a Vote sign in front of a US flag.
Regina Taylor's VOTE!
Video

Regina Taylor's VOTE!

Presented by The Oaks Collective in collaboration with Regina Taylor. Short plays and conversation exploring the African-American community's relationship with the political process.

Thursday 1 October 2020
USA

The Oaks Collective presented the livestreamed of Regina Taylor's VOTE! event — which included short plays and conversation exploring the African-American community's relationship with the political process.