The New Dramatists is a center that offers seven-year long residencies to playwrights, giving them the time, space and resources to write plays in which they have complete creative authority, allowing them to continue with their own artistic growth.
Since 1949, in a former church, the New Dramatists has served more than 600 playwrights, among them sixteen Pulitzer Prize winners and twenty-four Tony award winners. During their time at the New Dramatists, resident playwrights participate in The Playwrights' Lab and associated programs that give them an opportunity to develop their own work through a series of readings and workshops. As executive director, Joel Ruark corroborates, telling us "the most valuable thing they get is one another."
A rotating committee chooses the residents every year to ensure fresh perspectives. The entire operation is grant-and philanthropy-funded, letting playwrights focus on developing their craft. This approach has won the organization an honorary Tony Award and renown to spare.