Founded in 1949 by Michaela O'Harra, in association with Howard Lindsay, Richard Rodgers, Russel Crouse, Oscar Hammerstein II, John Golden, Moss Hart, Maxwell Anderson, John Wharton, Robert E. Sherwood and Elmer Rice, New Dramatists is rooted in the vision of talented writers banding together to develop their work, share resources, and expand their role in the contemporary American theatre. Today, New Dramatists hosts the longest-running, continuous community of playwrights in the United States...
Founded in 1949 by Michaela O'Harra, in association with Howard Lindsay, Richard Rodgers, Russel Crouse, Oscar Hammerstein II, John Golden, Moss Hart, Maxwell Anderson, John Wharton, Robert E. Sherwood and Elmer Rice, New Dramatists is rooted in the vision of talented writers banding together to develop their work, share resources, and expand their role in the contemporary American theatre. Today, New Dramatists hosts the longest-running, continuous community of playwrights in the United States, working in pursuit of a singular mission: to provide playwrights with time, space, and resources in the company of gifted peers, to create work, realize their artistic potential, and make lasting contributions to the theatre.
Now in our 77th year, more than 700 playwrights have passed through our doors, creating work that has set a standard for contemporary American dramatic literature. Our alumni include some of the most influential writers of our time: Robert Anderson, Annie Baker, Kia Corthron, Nilo Cruz, Lonne Elder III, Horton Foote, Richard Foreman, Maria Irene Fornes, Melissa James Gibson, David Greenspan, John Guare, Quiara Alegría Hudes, William Inge, David Lindsay-Abaire, Eduardo Machado, Taylor Mac, Donald Margulies, Joe Masteroff, Tarrell Alvin McCraney, Lynn Nottage, Suzan-Lori Parks, Sarah Ruhl, John Patrick Shanley, Mac Wellman, August Wilson, Lanford Wilson, Paula Vogel, Doug Wright, Chay Yew, and many more.
The writers of New Dramatists have made significant contributions to the American theatrical canon and to the cultural fabric of the performing arts in New York City and nationally. To date, our resident and alumni writers have won 20 Pulitzers, 28 Tonys, 89 OBIEs, 18 Drama Desk Awards, 8 MacArthur Fellowships, and 14 Susan Smith Blackburn Awards.
New Dramatists itself received a Ross Wetzsteon Award for excellence at the 2005 OBIEs and a 2001 Tony Honor for "blessing the theatre with new and exceptional works that have assured both a rich theatrical heritage and future for the American Theatre."