The Dramatist Guild Foundation has announced that its DGF Fellows program has expanded to include a virtual offering for playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists across the United States.
Historically, the Fellows program was only offered to those in the tri-state area who could attend in-person workshops and mentorship sessions. The in-person class of 2022-2023 fellows was selected and announced last month. However, as DGF continues its accessibility work, this virtual offering is now available. Applications for virtual fellowships are now open and will remain so through Jan. 20, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.
The Fellows program offers writers the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals as they develop a staged production of their work. The one-year program offers fellows access to career resources, a virtual presentation of their work and a stipend. Completely free of charge, the Fellows program aims to break down financial and networking barriers that can prevent writers from having their voices and work heard.
Founded in 2000 by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Janet Neipris and Arthur Kopit – who were later joined by Susan Miller – the Fellows program fosters collaboration and community by uniting playwrights and musical theater writers. The current chairs of the program are Michael Korie and Jess McLeod (musical theater chairs) and José Rivera and Nikkole Salter (playwriting chairs). Many of the mentors in the program — who provide one-on-one guidance — are Broadway professionals. Previous mentors include co-founders and Tony Award winners Ahrens and Flaherty, as well as Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda and five-time Tony winner George C. Wolfe.
Among the former fellows are Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson, book writer and composer-lyricist of Broadway’s “A Strange Loop;” Tony, Oscar and Grammy winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, composer-lyricists of Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen;” Antoinette Nwandu, playwright of Broadway’s “Pass Over” and two-time Oscar and Grammy winner and Tony nominee Kristen Anderson-Lopez, composer-lyricist of Broadway’s “In Transit” and “Frozen.”
DGF is a national charity that supports writers at all stages of their careers. The Fellows program is supported through the generosity of the Seller-Lehrer Family Foundation.
