NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR 9 NNPN MEMBER THEATRES
& 5 CONTINUED LIFE OF NEW PLAYS FUND PRODUCTIONS

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced the recipients of its 2008 Access to Artistic Excellence funding cycle. The list, available on NEA's website, included nine (9) NNPN member theatres and one (1) non-NNPN member theatre for its participation in a current NNPN Continued Life of New Plays Fund (CLNPF)project. In total, five (5) CLNPF project productions were recognized:

InterAct Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA

To support the world premiere of HOUSE, DIVIDED (formerly EFRAT FROM AFAR) by playwright Larry Loebell as the centerpiece of a festival of new plays. Panel discussions and readings of new and contemporary plays that explore American perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will occur in conjunction with the production.

Kitchen Dog Theater Company
Dallas, TX

To support the New Works Festival, featuring a full production of a new work and a series of staged readings. The festival will include the Playwrights Under Progress Festival (PUP Fest), which offers local high school playwrights developmental workshops and staged readings of their original short plays.

Magic Theatre, Inc.
San Francisco, CA

To support the world premiere of TIR-NA-NOG (LAND OF YOUTH) by Irish novelist and playwright Edna O'Brien. Artistic director Chris Smith will direct the play.

Mixed Blood Theatre Company
Minneapolis, MN

To support the commissioning, development, and world premieres of LOVE PERSON by Aditi Kapil and Red Ink by Rhiana Yazzie and Native American playwrights. Artistic director Jack Reuler will serve as producer and Liz Engelman will serve as dramaturg for both productions, with accompanying outreach activities.

New Jersey Repertory Company
Long Branch, NJ

To support the world premiere of AND HER HAIR WENT WITH HER by Zina Camblin. Artistic director SuzAnne Barabas will oversee the production and casting and select the director.

Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey
Madison, NJ

To support THE FAIR HAIRED BOY by Sheldon Harnick, David Baker, and Ira Wallach with accompanying educational activities. In partnership with the Morris Museum/ Bickford Theatre, the musical will feature a revised book, lyrics, and music and be directed by associate artistic director James Glossman.

Southern Rep
New Orleans, LA

To support the development and production of FOR BETTER, a new play by Eric Coble. The project is part of the National New Play Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund (CLNPF), and will be directed by Gary Rucker.

Unicorn Theatre
Kansas City, MO

To support the world premiere of A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS by Thomas Gibbons. The play is a project of the National New Play Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund (CLNPF).

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Washington, DC

To support the continued development and world premiere of STUNNING by David Adjimi, who will be in residence at the theater during the play's rehearsal period. Artistic director Howard Shalwitz will lead the dramaturgical team, with direction by regional and national director Anne Kauffman.

Marin Theatre Company
Mill Valley, CA

To support LOVE PERSON by Aditi Kapil, one of the Three-Way National New Play Network World Premiere productions. Director Gia Forakis will direct the production, with accompanying outreach activities.