APPLICATIONS OPEN
January 6, 2021 at 12:01 AM (EST)
DEADLINE
February 8, 2021 at 11:59 PM (EST)
ABOUT
Harlem9, Harlem Stage, and the Lucille Lortel Theatre are looking to commission pieces, the first of which will be written by York Walker, to be developed and presented online as part of a series in response to the 2020 presidential election. Each piece will focus on how the election affects the writer, their community, or their country.
If selected, writers will receive a $2,000 commissioning fee. Development of the piece will be led by Harlem9 and each writer will work directly with an assigned Harlem9 member.
ELIGIBILITY
Writers can be from anywhere in the United States.
Writers must be 18 years or older.
Writers must identify as Black/African-American.
Female identifying, LGBTQIA+, and gender non-conforming artists are highly encouraged to apply.
Pieces should not exceed 15 minutes in length, and can be either a traditional play format or experimental in nature.
Pieces should not directly promote specific candidates or policies, but should instead discuss how the writer will be impacted by them.
Content must be original, and writers must have all necessary rights.
All pieces must able to be digitally showcased online.
All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on Monday, February 8th, 2021.
The application process is free and open to all who qualify. Please include the following with your application:
Your play and/or a detailed description of your concept for this piece
Resume and bio.
A previous completed writing sample.
A history of previous productions of your work, if available. Applicants are not required to have been produced previously.
All pieces must able to be digitally showcased online.
All finalists must be available for an interview which will be conducted via Zoom.
Founded in 2010, OBIE award-winning Harlem9 is a collaborative producing organization, comprised of a group of 6 Black theater professionals (Spencer Scott Barros, Sandra A. Daley-Sharif, Bryan E. Glover, Garlia Cornelia Jones, Eric Lockley and Jonathan McCrory) from various backgrounds. Our mission is to produce together, exploring the past, present and future of black culture, celebrating its rich and diverse history of storytelling. We aim to support and nurture Black voices, authentically celebrating the diverse stories and complexity of the African Diaspora. In 2020, Harlem9 celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Obie Award-winning annual event, “48Hours in...TMHarlem”. We are happy to have been able to expand “48Hours in...TM” to the Bronx, NY; Detroit, MI; and the National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.
HARLEM STAGE
Harlem Stage is the performing arts center that bridges Harlem’s cultural legacy to contemporary artists of color and dares to provide the artistic freedom that gives birth to new ideas.
For over 37 years our singular mission has been to perpetuate and celebrate the unique and diverse artistic legacy of Harlem and the indelible impression it has made on American culture. We provide opportunity, commissioning and support for artists of color, make performances easily accessible to all audiences and introduce children to the rich diversity, excitement and inspiration of the performing arts.
THE LUCILLE LORTEL THEATRE
The Lucille Lortel Theatre's mission is to sustain and advance Off-Broadway by creating awareness, appreciation, and encouraging the continued growth of Off-Broadway; assisting with theatrical infrastructure and capacity building; and developing educational programs fostering the next generation of theatre makers. The Theatre has several major programs, including the Lucille Lortel Awards and Playwrights’ Sidewalk, Internet Off-Broadway Database (IOBDB.com), Non-Profit Theatre Strategic and Management Services, Live at the Lortel podcast, NYC Public High School Playwriting Fellowship, Subsidized Theatre Space, and Fellowships in Theatre with Bennington College.
For more information, please visit www.lortel.org.
What is Consequences?
Consequences is a multi-part series of pieces to be developed and presented online in response to the 2020 presidential election. Each piece will focus on how the election affects the playwright, their community, or their country.
What is the submission deadline?
January 11, 2021 at 11:59pm EST
Do I need to have a production history?
No, it is not required. If you do have a production history, please submit with your application.
How long can my piece be?
Pieces should not exceed 15 minutes in length.
Can my piece be a stage play?
All pieces must be able to be digitally showcased online.
When will I get paid?
If your play is selected, you will receive a commission to be paid out through an agreed upon payment plan subject to deliverables.
My question isn’t listed here!
Please contact info@harlem9.org for more information.