Young Playwrights Collective: Call for New Members

The Young Playwrights Collective is searching for a diverse group of new and emerging playwrights to join their collective! Are you between the ages of 22 and 35, currently residing in Northeast Ohio, serious about the art of playwriting, and looking for a community to encourage and inspire your work? If so, the YPC wants to hear from you!

What is the YPC?

Our Mission:

The Young Playwrights Collective, a group of Playwrights Local, is a community of early-career playwrights who support each other through feedback, network development, and the creation and pursuit of various production opportunities.

Our Vision:

The Young Playwrights Collective (YPC), with the support of Playwrights Local, will create a network across Northeast Ohio with other early-career theatre-makers. Alongside mentors who are established in their field, these artists will grow and develop in their work, creating theatre in a supported community. The YPC will be an active part of Playwrights Local: producing work for readings, workshops, and productions; planning community events; volunteering; and attending performances. At Playwrights Local, and throughout northeast Ohio, the YPC will be recognized as the training grounds for promising new playwrights.

Benefits of the YPC:

• Cozy biweekly meetings with opportunities to give and receive feedback on current projects.
• An invitation to share work in all public performance opportunities throughout the year.
• Invitations to participate in all YPC and Playwrights Local events.
• Leadership opportunities within the group.
• Access to mentorship opportunities.

This sounds perfect for me! How do I apply?

Email youngplaywrightscle@gmail.com with the following materials attached as documents (PDF, Word, etc.):

• Questionnaire. Please answer all of the following questions in one document (should equal around 500-1000 words total):

1. 1. 1. Do you meet all of the following qualifications? If not, explain why you believe you would still be a good fit for the group:
         1. You are between the ages of 22 and 35.
         2. You are not currently involved in an undergraduate 2- or 4-year program.
         3. You currently reside in Northeast Ohio.
      2. The YPC currently meets every other Sunday from 7:00-9:30pm. As a collective, our greatest resource is each other, and it is vital to the functionality of the collective that all members are present. Members are only allowed a select number of absences throughout a season before they become inactive. Is this a commitment you are able to make?
      3. Why do you want to join a community of early-career playwrights?  Why do you think you would be a good fit for the YPC and the YPC would be a good fit for you? Which of the following aspects of the YPC are most interesting/exciting to you and why?
         1. Getting feedback on my work
         2. Giving feedback to other members of the YPC
         3. Finding and creating workshop and production opportunities
         4. Building a network of other young theatre artists in northeast Ohio
         5. Serving as a dramaturg, director, stage manager, or actor for another playwright in the YPC
         6. Planning events to engage the wider community
         7. Participating in mentorship opportunities and learning from experienced playwrights in northeast Ohio
      4. Who are you as an artist and a playwright? How would you describe yourself and your work?

• 10 pages of a play you have written.

• A short description of the 10-page sample you have included. (Is this the first 10 pages of a longer, polished piece? Is it in the middle of a longer work you’ve just started and haven’t finished yet? Is it a freestanding 10-minute work?)
• Artistic Resume with a focus on theatre, playwriting, and creative writing education/experience.

1. 1. 1. Please include your name, email address, and phone number on your resume.
      2. Please also include any affiliations with local theatres (residencies, participation in an ensemble group, etc.)

• Headshot (Optional. Not including a headshot will not in any way detract from your application.)

Applications open on January 20, 2020.

Applications close on March 15, 2020.

Applications will be judged by a panel of playwrights, teachers, and members of the YPC and Playwrights Local. Applicants may be contacted for an interview before final decisions are made. All applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the group for this upcoming season. Please note that, due to the nature of this collaborative group, slots are limited.

If you have any questions about this application or the Young Playwrights Collective, please contact youngplaywrightscle@gmail.com. You can also learn more about the group and its current members at http://www.playwrightslocal.org/young-playwrights-collective-ypc/.

We look forward to hearing from you!