The New Jersey Play Lab, a new organization focusing on New Jersey-based playwrights and New Jersey Theatres announces their first Residency, first session of classes, and 2nd round of submissions. The next submission deadline is November 1st, 2019. All information can be found at www.njplaylab.org.
The New Jersey Play Lab (NJPL) is a new organization dedicated to developing production-ready plays through comprehensive hands-on dramaturgy. This unique approach to play development serves both New Jersey playwrights and producers by offering an alternative to the often fractured process by which plays arrive at their first production.
The NJPL offers developmental residencies, playwriting classes, and dramaturgical services, all geared toward nourishing the creation and production of outstanding new work in The Garden State, and thus strengthening the ongoing movement to establish New Jersey as a valued and vibrant hub of new play development.
The Co-Directors of The NJPL are Cheryl Katz and Kaitlin Stilwell. Katz and Stilwell worked together for years as a creative team at Luna Stage. Katz was the Director of Play Development at Luna for many years before becoming Artistic Director (2013-2018). Stilwell was the Dramaturg at Luna from 2015-2019. Each has a long and accomplished history of developing plays, and as a team, commissioned and developed over 20 new works for the stage.
The NJPL was born out of a desire to offer an alternative to plays being developed through short workshops and readings at multiple companies and institutions, and out of a commitment to ensuring that new plays are dramaturgically sound prior to receiving their first production.
The NJPL is currently in the process of developing We Victorians by Matthew Cole Kelly. We Victorians was selected from a submission process open to any New Jersey-based playwright. The play was selected from a pool of over 50 submissions to receive a five-month Residency including intensive hands-on dramaturgy, and developmental readings and workshops.
The NJPL holds an annual submission process. The next submission deadline is November 1st, 2019. All information can be found at www.njplaylab.org.
Additionally, The NJPL offers unique playwriting classes for all career levels, and freelance dramaturgical services.
The New Jersey Play Lab aims to facilitate the production of more new work at New Jersey theatres, become a resource for producers across the country looking for outstanding plays that are ready for the stage, and contribute to the national conversation about best practices for play development. For more information on all programs, to get involved, or to donate, please visit www.njplaylab.org.
The New Jersey Theatre Alliance currently serves as fiscal agent for The New Jersey Play Lab.
