news

In 2012, PlayPenn developed Bess’s searing two-hander “Barcelona”, which later received its world-premiere production at @peopleslight in Malvern, PA. The play continued to grow and was most recently produced on London’s West End in 2024.

A new guide aims to help performing arts professionals without employer or union health plans navigate the complex world of health insurance.

After multiple sold-out intensives, PlayPenn's Artistic Director, Che'Rae Adams, returns with an in-person six-hour workshop in New York City, an experience designed for playwrights struggling to find the true heart of their plays, or who need inspiration to dig deeper and fully understand what their story is really about.

The PlayPenn Access Scholarship provides financial support for a limited number of participants the Fall/Winter 2025. Scholarships are awarded based on the potential impact of participation.

PlayPenn is proud to share that two PlayPenn playwrights will have their Broadway debuts in the upcoming 2025–2026 theatre season.

The Playwrights Cohort is a free year-long professional development program that helps emerging playwrights build sustainable careers by understanding the business of theatre.

This summer, PlayPenn offers seven dynamic classes for theatre writers and makers, including intensives on submissions, song dramaturgy, and script revision; deep dives into musicals, dialogue, and disability representation; and a study of groundbreaking plays by visionary women.

Back in 2010, Samuel D. Hunter was a young New York playwright fresh out of Moscow, Idaho, when Philadelphia gave him a life-changing...

PlayPenn is honored to be one of the recipients of the 2025 Art & Culture Grants awarded by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF). A total...

PlayPenn, a nationally recognized new play development organization, proudly announces the full lineup of free public readings for its 2025 New Play Development Conference, running July 5 - 20 at venues throughout Philadelphia.

From PlayPenn 2020 to Broadway’s biggest night — Jonathan Spector has sparked laughter, conversation, and critical acclaim for his play...

PlayPenn’s Artistic Director, Che’Rae Adams said $15,000 is roughly the cost to stage a single play reading during the conference....

PlayPenn’s Artistic Director Che’Rae Adams was interviewed by @broadstreview for an article detailing the impact of recent federal funding cuts on Philadelphia arts organizations. “We’re all banding together. Otherwise, we’re not going to exist,” says Che’Rae. Donate Today and Help Support PlayPenn and our Mission!

In November 2024, PlayPenn received news that we had been awarded a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts — the first...

PlayPenn , a national new play development center based in Philadelphia, proudly announces the 2025 New Play Development Conference,...

PlayPenn Artistic Director Che’Rae Adams is featured in the Summer 2024 issue of The Dramatist Magazine . She participated in a...

PlayPenn has announced the creation of two new programs to expand the organization’s support for playwrights. The Playwrights Cohort at...

Che’Rae has been the Producing Artistic Director of the LA Writers Center since 2006 where she develops new work with local writers. She...