The Playwrights Realm has announced its 2023-2024 cohort of Writing Fellows and Scratchpad Playwrights.

This year's Writing Fellows include T.J.L, J.C. Pankratz, Eliana Theologides Rodriguez, and Jesús I. Valles; Scratchpad Playwrights are Nimisha Ladva, Malena Pennycook, and Sarah Saltwick.

The early-career playwrights participating in the Writing Fellows program receive nine months of resources—including a $5,000 stipend, workshops, and feedback—concluding with a reading in the Realm's INK'd Festival. The Fellows each develop a new play, meet as a group monthly to collaborate and refine their work, and meet one-on-one with the Realm artistic staff to support their process.

Those in the Scratchpad Series receive a paid developmental process of up to one week, concluding with an optional reading of the play. They are also connected with professional collaborators and the Realm's artistic staff. 

“It’s especially thrilling announcing our 2023-2024 cohort right as we reenter production for the first time since the pandemic—on a wildly inventive play developed within our Writing Fellows program," says Realm Founding Artistic Director Katherine Kovner. Mary Gets Hers, The Realm's first production since 2019, began Off-Broadway previews September 12. Playwright Emma Horwitz is a former Realm Writing Fellow. 

"In Mary Gets Hers, we’re reminded of the vast possibilities that emerge every time we receive an exceptional, daring submission; of the many ways we can support playwrights in creating work they’re excited about; and of how chiseling away at the barriers that prevent early-career artists from realizing their ideas can help lead to an exhilarating future for theatre," Kovner continues.

Submissions to the Writing Fellows and Scratchpad Playwrights programs are open and free. Visit PlaywrightsRealm.org.