SoTex Playwrights Lab is a new play development program at The Public Theater of San Antonio. The program was created to develop works by playwrights in our region with the goal of identifying pieces to produce in future seasons, and also to support the development and cultivation of South Texas writers.

This “lab” is an eighth-month program that guides each writer from idea to presentation, by pairing them with a Dramaturg for three developmental cold-readings with feedback by local artists, writers, and theater practitioners, culminating in a weekend of staged readings, for each project, in our Cellar Theater. Each staged reading will have the support of a director, dramaturg, and cast of local talent, featuring some of our Resident Artists. As part of the program, writers will be paid a $500 honorary stipend. Currently this program does not provide housing or a travel stipend, and is focused on supporting South Texas writers who are able to drive to our theater for workshops and readings.

All interested writers must submit by September 17, 2022.

  • Writers must submit an Artist Statement, a ten-page writing sample, and a 500 word pitch of the piece they are looking to develop during the program.
  • The pitch is not restricted to any particular subject, genre, or style, but, in accordance with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and acessibility, preference will be given to works that fit one or more of the following parameters: play with music, local/regional history, play by/or about under-represented communities (such as BIPOC, women, queer, trans, differently abled, etc.)
  • Plays must not have ever had a production or have been involved in a public workshop or residency program.
  • Up to four writers will be chosen by a panel from the Artistic Advisory Committee, members of the community, and Executive Artistic Director. The Lab will be curated to ensure equity amongst writers, diversity in subject matter, and other considerations such as style, experience, and scope.

Schedule

  • Playwrights (selected)/projects announced: September 2022
  • Playwrights matched with Dramaturgs: September 2022
  • First drafts/pages due: October 2022
  • First Readings: October 22, 2022
  • Second Readings: December 10, 2022
  • Third Readings: February 11, 2022
  • Writers paired with directors and plays cast: March/April 2023
  • Each writer will get a week of rehearsals with the director, actors, dramaturg, and one weekend of staged readings in May 2023.
  • Writers must be available must be available for all listed reading dates as well as one week in May for their project.

Plays developed throughout this lab must commit to crediting The Public Theater of San Antonio with the play’s inception for all subsequent workshops and engagements of their play, including updated versions, in perpetuity. No licensing rights will be attached to this agreement.

The Public Theater of San Antonio © 2022. All rights reserved.