Primary Stages: Echoes Writers Group 2022/23

Echoes Writers Group at Primary Stages is a year-long, educational program focused on finding, nurturing, and amplifying the voices of women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming artists. It is a place for writers to develop their practice in a supportive and creative community that grows together. Led by the artistic team at Primary Stages, the group is comprised of writers who are just starting to discover their voice and build their craft, particularly those who are interested in learning about the art of playwriting.

The Group participates in twice-weekly Mentorship and Sharing Sessions, where writers have the chance to create and develop their own work with professionals from across the theater community. Previous Mentors have included Cusi Cram, Brittany K. Allen, Judy Gold, Migdalia Cruz, Brenda Withers, C. Quintana, Tina Satter, Mfoniso Udofia, Madhuri Shekar, and AriDy Nox, and touched on topics such as Playwriting Fundamentals, Adaptation, 10-minute plays, Comedy, Solo Work, Devised Work, TV/Film Writing, and more.

Each Group member will receive a $500 honorarium, and the year-long program will include a week of developmental workshops for the writers and culminate in presentations of the group’s works in Spring 2023.

Primary Stages strives to reflect the story of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, classes, ages, and abilities, and hopes for this group to reflect the America around us as opposed to what has historically been taught and represented.

The Echoes Writers Group is made possible through a generous grant from The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation New ERA Women Writers Program

Requirements

We are looking for applicants who love to write but have not had the chance to fully explore their passion in a professional or academic setting. Women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming writers have faced many barriers to pursuing and developing their work, and this is meant to be a safe and inclusive space that will offer mentorship, support, and community. Whether you’ve stepped away from your writing and wish to reinvest in your passion, want to expand the scope of your writing, are discovering a new creative interest, or anything in between, we’re looking for undeveloped and undiscovered voices who need room to grow.

In order to foster a full and robust group, we are asking members to commit the following schedule:

Mentoring Sessions will be held on Zoom Tuesdays from 7:00pm-8:30pm November 2022 - March 2023
Sharing Sessions will be held on Zoom Saturdays from 12:00pm-3:00pm November 2022 - March 2023
Developmental Workshops will be held in-person in NYC January 30 - February 10, 2023, Dates and Times TBD
Final Presentations will be held in person in NYC March 27-31 2023, Dates and Times TBD