InterAct's production of A House With No Walls.

What Playwrights Say About NNPN

“I was and remain deeply honored and encouraged by the Smith Prize… I love that the prize is awarded to a script and not a production… I love that NNPN is working against premiere-itis.”
Y York, 2008 Smith Prizewinner, ...And LA is Burning

Contacting NNPN

National New Play Network
Jason Loewith, Executive Director
c/o Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Phone: 202-312-5270
Fax: 202-289-2446
Email Jason Loewith Here

 

Information for Producers

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP?

Unlike larger alliances or service organizations, NNPN keeps its roster of full members small to enhance the Network's strength of mission and vision. We aim to ensure that each geographic region of the country is represented by at least a single theater that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays.

For the right company, member benefits are substantial. Full member theaters are entitled to:

  • receive up to $500 as reimbursement for travel expenses to the Annual Conference, $750 as reimbursement for the National Showcase of New Plays, and an additional $500 as available to visit other member theaters throughout the year
  • be listed as a member of NNPN in all promotional materials and on the NNPN website
  • nominate individuals to serve on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
  • receive monthly newsletters from NNPN’s Executive Director on field trends and important updates
  • participate in NNPN programs:
    • apply for the Continued Life of New Plays Fund (along with a minimum of one full NNPN member and a maximum of three theaters), which carries a $6,300 award per participating theater
    • submit plays to the National Showcase of New Plays
    • nominate playwrights for New Play Commissions, currently funded at $3,500 per commission (three commissions will be awarded in 2010)
    • nominate recent MFA graduates for Emerging Playwright Residencies, currently funded at $8,750 per playwright
    • participate in monthly literary web-chats
    • submit plays to Playscripts.com for the NNPN category

HOW DOES A THEATER BECOME A MEMBER OF NNPN?

NNPN is always looking for partners in new regions of the country. Following a preliminary conversation with either the Executive Director or the Chair of NNPN’s Membership Committee, the Committee may invite the prospective theater to begin the three-step process towards membership:

  • The prospective theater fills out a New Membership Survey, which details the company’s size, history, and other factual information.
  • Upon satisfactory completion of the Survey, NNPN may elect to conduct a site visit in conjunction with a new play production or developmental reading. The site visit will involve more in-depth conversation about the interested theater, focusing on its commitment to and interest in NNPN's mission, values and programs.
  • If NNPN leadership believes it's a good match, the prospective theater will be invited (at its own expense) to visit with other member theaters at the National Showcase of New Plays (usually in December).

After the prospective member visit, the Membership Committee votes on whether to submit a nomination to the full Board, which votes on members at the Annual Conference each year in June. From start to finish, the membership process usually takes about a year. Interested parties should contact NNPN's Executive Director, Jason Loewith, to begin the process.

WHAT ARE THE ELIBILITY CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NNPN?

Eligible theaters must:

  • be a not-for-profit 501C3 organization
  • demonstrate a commitment to new plays by producing, commissioning, and/or developing new plays
  • demonstrate high artistic quality in their mainstage productions
  • operate as a professional theatre by maintaining one full-time paid executive or artistic director, a staff of at least two, pay all actors at levels commensurate with union commitments and produce exclusively under professional rights agreements
  • maintain a minimum annual operating budget of $150K
  • produce a minimum annual season of three mainstage productions

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF NNPN MEMBERS?

NNPN member theaters are already doing plenty of difficult work, and we don’t want to add anything to the burden. That’s why we try to make membership as painless as possible, so theaters have access to NNPN’s diverse array of programs. Nonetheless, there are some very important requirements which keep the Network dynamic and engaged. NNPN full members are required to:

  • Pay annual membership dues equivalent to .0025 of the previous fiscal year's revenue (with a floor of $500 and a ceiling of $1,500)
  • Appoint one voting representative to serve on the NNPN Board of Directors, and send that representative to the Annual Conference
  • Participate actively in the literary managers' monthly on-line chat
  • Produce a play originally premiered by another NNPN member at least once every three years OR export a play to another NNPN member for a second or third production at least once every three years
  • Participate in NNPN’s fundraising activities, with a minimum give for 2009-10 of at least $500 per member theater above and beyond dues
  • Nominate an artist and a donor to the Ambassador’s Council, NNPN’s national network of individuals committed to new plays (there is no financial commitment to serving on the Council), and keep those seats filled
  • Provide a ticket discount , based on availability, to patrons from other NNPN member theaters on request

I'M NOT AN ELIGIBLE THEATER, BUT I WANT TO BE INVOLVED...

In 2009-10, NNPN is undertaking a serious study of Affiliate Membership for theaters and other institutions – play development organizations, stand-alone festivals, universities, and so on – which do not fit these criteria. The study is to be completed by June 2010. In the meantime, Executive Director Jason Loewith is actively exploring new partnerships to provide a smooth and continuous pipeline for the country’s best new works.