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Broadway Welcomes Back 2012 PlayPenn Playwright Bess Wohl
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.
PlayPenn
2 days ago2 min read


Writers and Art Workers Need Health Insurance: Here’s a Lifeline That Can Help
A new guide aims to help performing arts professionals without employer or union health plans navigate the complex world of health insurance.
PlayPenn
2 days ago5 min read


PlayPenn Brings Its New Play Development Intensive to New York City for the First Time
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.
PlayPenn
4 days ago2 min read


Apply Now for PlayPenn’s 2025 Fall/Winter Access Scholarship — Classes Begin October 13
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
Oct 92 min read


Broadway Debuts for PlayPenn Playwrights Jordan Harrison and Samuel D. Hunter
PlayPenn is proud to share that two PlayPenn playwrights will have their Broadway debuts in the upcoming 2025–2026 theatre season.
PlayPenn
Aug 142 min read


PlayPenn Is Accepting Applications for the 2025/2026 Playwrights Cohort
The Playwrights Cohort is a free year-long professional development program that helps emerging playwrights build sustainable careers by understanding the business of theatre.
PlayPenn
Aug 82 min read


Summer at PlayPenn! Professional Development Classes Start July 23!
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.
PlayPenn
Jul 152 min read


WHYY: Another Samuel D. Hunter? Audiences Get To See New Plays Develop
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
Jul 31 min read


PlayPenn Among 2025 Philadelphia Cultural Fund Grant Recipients
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
Jun 211 min read


PlayPenn Unveils Free Public Reading Lineup Across the City of Philadelphia
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.
PlayPenn
Jun 193 min read


PlayPenn Playwright, Jonathan Spector, Wins 2025 Tony Award
From PlayPenn 2020 to Broadway’s biggest night — Jonathan Spector has sparked laughter, conversation, and critical acclaim for his play...
PlayPenn
Jun 91 min read


WHYY PBS: Philly theaters reel from sudden loss of NEA funding
PlayPenn’s Artistic Director, Che’Rae Adams said $15,000 is roughly the cost to stage a single play reading during the conference....
PlayPenn
May 61 min read


Broad Street Review: Philly arts organizations speak up after the Trump administration revokes their NEA grants
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!
PlayPenn
May 51 min read


Update: The NEA Pulled Our Funding
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
May 11 min read


PlayPenn Announces Resident Playwright Selections and Reimagined Citywide Conference
PlayPenn , a national new play development center based in Philadelphia, proudly announces the 2025 New Play Development Conference,...
PlayPenn
Mar 173 min read


PlayPenn featured in The Dramatist Magazine "New Plays" Issue
PlayPenn Artistic Director Che’Rae Adams is featured in the Summer 2024 issue of The Dramatist Magazine . She participated in a...
theaterwilson
Jul 31, 20242 min read


PlayPenn Announces New Initiatives for Playwrights
PlayPenn has announced the creation of two new programs to expand the organization’s support for playwrights. The Playwrights Cohort at...
PlayPenn
Mar 28, 20232 min read


Welcome Che’Rae Adams, the new Artistic Director of PlayPenn!
Che’Rae has been the Producing Artistic Director of the LA Writers Center since 2006 where she develops new work with local writers. She...
theaterwilson
Jan 12, 20226 min read
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