WordBRIDGE 2012 applications are now closed.

Finalists will be announced in the spring.

The Labs: 1994-Present

WordBRIDGE is a professional laboratory that works with professional artists to develop the work of pre-professional playwrights. Since 1994, WordBRIDGE has hosted 78 playwrights working on 86 new plays with over 180 artists: professional theatre artists, interdisciplinary resource artists, and a gifted roster of student artists.

WordBRIDGE’s playwrights have been produced in theatres on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, in community theatres and in university theatres. Scripts developed at WordBRIDGE have been performed across the United States and around the world.

Modeled after the Playwrights Laboratory at the Sundance Institute, which was inspired by the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, WordBRIDGE provides the next generation of playwrights with a home for their work, compelling and compassionate professionals, and a world-class laboratory in which to test their ideas and visions.

Some Notable WordBRIDGE Alumni include:

  • Merri Biechler (WB ’07) Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver has received over $30,000 in grants: reading in New York, finalist for the Alliance Theatre’s Keneda Graduate Playwriting Competition. Real Girls Can't Win!: reading, Chicago at Victory Gardens in December, 2007.
  • George Brant (WB ’07, WB ‘08) Elephant’s Graveyard (2007, Brockett Theatre, Austin, TX; May 2009, Trustus Theatre, Columbia, SC; September 2009, Balagad Theatre, Seattle, WA) Awards: Keene Prize for Literature, David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award. Any Other Name (September 2009, Premiere Stages, Union, NJ)
  • Lisa D'Amour (WB ’95) Anna Bella Emma (Crowded Fire Theatre, San Francisco, New Georges Theatre, NYC), Nita and Zita, (2003 Village Voice OBIE Award), Ten Thousand Things (Austin Critics Table Award Best New Play Award, Blue Theater, Austin)
  • Keith Huff (WB ’94) A GREATER GOOD, (The Public Theatre/NY Shakespeare Festival), LEON AND JOEY (produced by Showtime Networks, part of Act One 95 Festival), DOG STORIES (21st Century Playwrights Festival winner) . A STEADY RAIN (2008 Jeff Award-Best New Work, 2009 Production on Broadway at Schoenfeld Theatre with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig)
  • Erik Ramsey (WB ’96, ‘97) Lions Lost (In Translation), (Cleveland Public Theatre, American Stage, Victory Gardens, Pittsburgh Irish, Classical Theatre), Smith, Unearthed (International Society of Contemporary Literature and Theatre (ISCLT) Conference in Estonia) Publication: Samuel French and Dramatic Publishing.
  • Marisa Wegrzyn (WB ‘01, ’02) Psalms of a Questionable Nature (Lucid by Proxy, Los Angeles), Hickorydickory (Washington University, St Louis), Diversity Harbor (Theatre Seven of Chicago), The Butcher of Baraboo (Steppenwolf Theatre Company & Second Stage). Produced at: Geva Theatre Center, Magic Theatre, Center Stage, Available Light Theatre, Nice People Theatre Company, Hourglass Group & Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Commissions: Steppenwolf Theatre Company & Yale Repertory Theatre. Resident Playwright: Chicago Dramatists. Founding member: Theatre Seven of Chicago

Chronology

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Richard A. Rice, WordBRIDGE was hosted through 2003 at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2003, to the disappointment of alums everywhere, WordBRIDGE was left without a home. During the next three years, several universities, recognizing that this Laboratory focused on providing a unique professional experience to collegiate playwrights, unsuccessfully attempted to provide a home for WordBRIDGE.

In the winter of 2006, Generous Company announced that they would be producing WordBRIDGE Playwright’s Laboratory in June of 2007 in Clemson, South Carolina in the state of the art Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University. Generous Company’s commitment to developing new works and supporting emerging artists; combined with the company’s extensive national roster of artists and collaborators made WordBRIDGE an ideal project. In collaborating with the Department of Performing Arts at Clemson University, WordBRIDGE would provide extensive opportunities for select students to work alongside professional artists. Generous Company expanded the reach of the program by broadening its focus to include all pre-professional playwrights and seeking out ways to bring WordBRIDGE playwrights onto the global stage.

Looking to the Future

  • WordBRIDGE will develop new works by pre-professional playwrights, and will expand its focus to embrace emerging solo performers and the development of new works by companies,
  • WordBRIDGE will expand upon its international initiatives by providing opportunities and residencies for international translators, playwrights, and artists.
  • WordBRIDGE will examine how technology can be used to support the play development process through focusing on infrastructure initiatives, creative initiatives, and working with forward thinking artists and scientists.
  • WordBRIDGE will participate in the continuing conversation about the development of new works through a series of online initiatives and resources.

Check back soon for more information on the projects from a particular WordBRIDGE year, and a full list of our alumni.