AGNES UNDER THE BIG TOP: A TALL TALE by Aditi Brennan Kapil
JERICHO by Jack Canfora
END DAYS by Deborah Laufer
26 MILES by Quiara Alegría Hudes
AGNES UNDER THE BIG TOP: A TALL TALE by Aditi Brennan Kapil

“[CLNPF] secures for the playwright not simply a 'product' (the premiere) – but a process (the ongoing series of productions)... The model – giving several theatres a crack at a new work, giving a writer several chances at their revisions – is a godsend."

-Steven Dietz, Yankee Tavern

 

“The Smith Prize was a great shot in the arm for me. It served as a valuable affirmation from my peers that my work is both of a high quality and exploring important issues. ”

-Seth Rozin, 2007 Smith Prizewinner, Black Gold

"The generosity and vitality of this unique and much needed organization ultimately benefits playwrights, theatres, audiences and the culture."

-David Rambo, The Ice Breaker

“NNPN really acts as a new play grapevine. Because member theaters are in regular contact, they get to know each theater's mission and tastes and a recommendation from one member to another is much more meaningful. Those relationships have helped my work find a home. ”

-Allison Moore, Hazard County, Collapse
 

“[NNPN’s] professional network is as vital (and unique) as the artistic support -- I've not found any other group that offers both.”

-Eric Coble, For Better

“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

“I can't say enough about the impact the Continued Life Program had on my play. That elusive and desirable thing called 'buzz' that consecutive productions can create… very much became the case for Love Person. Three productions grew to six thanks to NNPN.”

-Aditi Brennan Kapil

“In an industry as competitive, as unstable, and as personal as theater, the acknowledgment from a national body of professional theaters that the Emerging Playwright Residency gives a young writer is invaluable.”

-Jennifer Fawcett, Playwright-in-Residence 2009

“The National New Play Network is so vital and necessary - one of those really bright ideas - that one wonders why it took so long for theaters to get together and create it.”

-Yussef El Guindi, Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes

 

 

“NNPN not only lives up to its mission of championing ‘the development, production, and continued life of new plays,’ but also champions the authors of those new plays in the long journey from page to stage.”

-John Biguenet, Rising Water, Shotgun

Info for Ambassadors

Launched in June 2010, the Ambassadors Council of the National New Play Network is a group of artists and donors that support NNPN and its programs in their communities across the country.  With this Council, NNPN hopes to forge of a national community of likeminded artists and donors, linked to our theaters, on whom we can rely for good will, support and counsel.   Each NNPN Core Member theater nominates one local donor and one local artist to the Council, and keeps those two seats filled.  The Network as a body also nominates At Large Ambassadors.   

Members of the Ambassadors Council advise the Network on issues relating to their area of expertise; advocate on behalf of the Network in their home communities, educating other new-play colleagues and aficionados about NNPN programming, and supports their home theater’s participation in NNPN programs and events.  

 

Advisory Role

Ambassadors are invited to NNPN’s Annual Conference, where they join the Network’s Board of Directors in open sessions to discuss issues of import to the new-play field.  Recently, Ambassadors have helped the Network brainstorm about Collaborative Literary Management, the efficiency of Playwright Residencies in American theaters, and new programs to support risk-taking in member theaters.  Network staff also reach out to individual Ambassadors for advice and input on a range of issues.

 

Advocacy

Since the National New Play Network remains a small – if vital – force in American theater, its members and biggest fans need to “get the word out” about its programs.  Both patrons and artists can educate their colleagues and fellow new-play fans about the Network’s function in the American theater, and about their home theater’s role in the Network’s success.

 

Home Theater Support

Ambassadors play their most important role when their home theater participates in National New Play Network programming.  For example, Artist Ambassadors can mentor NNPN Playwright Residents, participate in readings of their plays, or play an artistic role in an NNPN-supported production; Patron Ambassadors can host opening night parties for NNPN Rolling World Premieres, serve as “new-play liaisons” to the theater’s Board of Directors, or take visiting NNPN playwrights to dinner with other patrons. 

The only requirement of Patron and Artist Ambassadors is that they support their home theater when it volunteers to host one of NNPN’s national events – either the National Showcase of New Plays or the Annual Conference.  Both Ambassadors are asked to host a cocktail party friendraiser for the Network, attend as much of the programming, and support it in whatever way they’re best positioned to do it.  For example, Artist Ambassadors may act in or direct new-play readings at the Showcase; Patrons may provide financial support to the host theater over and above what NNPN provides to make the event extra-special.  NNPN hopes that each theater’s Ambassadors will take as much pride in hosting such an influential national gathering as their Artistic and Managing Directors.  Host theaters often use these national gatherings to boost their image with local foundations, donors, artists and press; the support of Patron and Artist Ambassadors is part of that effort.

 

Benefits of Membership

The country’s most devoted new-play fans get the intangible benefits associated with supporting a major force in the country’s new-play ecosystem, plus…

  • The All-Access Pass, giving each Ambassador fifty complimentary tickets – that’s two tickets to each of our theaters across the country, based on availability
  • Guaranteed, complimentary seats to NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays
  • Invitations to NNPN’s exclusive Annual Conference
  • Subscription to NNPN’s bimonthly letter from the Executive Director
  • Recognition in NNPN’s promotional materials

 

To learn more about the Ambassadors Council, please contact Executive Director Jason Loewith.