“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

"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’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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“[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

National New Play Network Adds San Diego REP, Creates New Membership Category

WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2012 - The NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK (NNPN), the country’s alliance of non-profit theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays, has added its 26th member, San Diego REPertory Theatre, and approved guidelines for a new Associate Membership category which will greatly broaden the Network’s reach. The decisions were made by the organization’s Board of Directors at its Annual Conference on June 8 in Kansas City, MO, hosted by member Unicorn Theatre Company.

NETWORK ADDS SAN DIEGO REP AS 26th MEMBER
Founded in 1976, San Diego REPertory Theatre is downtown San Diego’s resident theater, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values. The company produces and hosts over 300 events and performances year-round on three stages at the Lyceum Theatre; since its move to the Lyceum, the REP has produced 39 mainstage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The much-heralded company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, Backstage West, Dramalogue, and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented the REP with the Craig Noel Award “For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity.”

“The REP’s longstanding commitment to new and nontraditional voices makes them a perfect fit for the Network,” said Jason Loewith, NNPN’s Executive Director. “Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and his team are respected as leaders in the field, and our members look forward to long and fruitful collaborations with them.” San Diego REP’s membership in the Network makes them eligible for grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars, including Playwright and Producer Residencies, Commissions, and the Continued Life of New Plays Fund.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP TO BROADEN NETWORK’S REACH
The Board of Directors of the National New Play Network approved the creation of a new Associate Membership class, extending select benefits – including participation in the Network’s flagship program, the Continued Life of New Plays Fund – to producing entities and MFA Playwriting programs beginning August 1. Associate Members will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Core Members of the Network at its National Showcase of New Plays, access new work via NNPN’s Virtual Script Library, and pitch plays to other members via the Collaborative Literary Office. Eligibility rules, application materials and full benefits will be available at www.nnpn.org on August 1.

“While the Network strategically grows its Core Membership,” said NNPN President Ryan Rilette, “Associate Membership will immediately open pipelines to and from the Network for plays and playwrights of merit to gain productions and greater attention on the national level. With dozens of theaters eager to collaborate with NNPN, Associate Membership gives us a tool to do that without requiring such active participation and governance from all of them.”