The deadline is April 15, 2024 at 5pm EST.

APPLY HERE

Do my collaborator and I need to be a “writer” or a “director” in order to apply? 

No! We are interested in generative artists of all types. Our expectation is that each collaboration produces a substantial piece of writing by the end of the program, so at least one member of your team should have demonstrable ability to write something of a certain length, but neither of you must identify as a “playwright” in order to apply to the lab. We limit the collaboration to two people, and welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. 

I’m not consistently in the New York area. Is it possible to attend the meetings remotely?

We do require both collaborators to attend the meetings in person. We understand that life happens and you might have to miss a meeting or call in once or twice, but your in-person presence is necessary in order for us to achieve a cohesive and supported cohort.

I have one more year left in Grad School (or PhD program) and it’s not technically full time. Am I eligible to apply?

Unfortunately, no. We are excited to engage with your work once you have finished your program.

I’m currently in Grad School but I graduate in May 2024. Am I eligible then?

Yes! As long as you will be finished with school by the time Lab meetings start in Fall 2024.

What do the Lab meetings consist of?

The Lab meetings gather the 4 teams and Co-Chairs in person twice a month. We encourage the artists in their investigations with prompts and discussion. We read and discuss each other’s work. While the Co-Chairs have a pedagogical structure, meetings are also shaped together around the organic development of  the cohort. The Lab is also meant to be a space to consider what it means to be a theater artist in NYC.

My collaborator and I have a fully finished draft that is ready to go. Should I apply with this project?

No. The Lab works best when the project is at its earliest stages and we are able to explore the possibilities of your visions. 12 months is a long time to develop a finished or advanced draft.  We typically have the best success with projects that are in the early outline or concept phase.

There are more than two collaborators connected to our project. Is that ok?

We are only able to support two collaborators per project. Holistic support is a core value at Soho Rep, so if there are more than two collaborators who you consider to be lead artists on the piece, it would be better to find a different development path. Although Lab members will be able to bring in a small number collaborators (actors, designer) for your showing during the final stages of the Lab, we encourage you to apply with projects that can be primarily developed by two lead artists.

Can I change my project once I’m accepted?

No – Since we admit based on the project you proposed in the application, we expect you to work on that project during this residency.

I have multiple different collaborators interested in applying with me. Can I be attached to multiple applications? 

No. An artist can only be attached to one application per cycle.

I have a project that would be perfect for Soho Rep, but I don’t need any guidance. I would prefer not to receive feedback from the co-chairs or the cohort, and I am mostly interested in the final showing. Is this a good fit for the Lab?

No. Important goals of the Lab are to strengthen artists’ ability to take advantage of mentorship, collective feedback, and the collaborative bond with their artistic partner and peers. The final showings are part of the Lab, but the early and middle stages of the Lab are as important if not more vital. We’re a process over product kind of community. 

I don’t know my collaborator very well and this would be our first project together. Will that work?

We have had success with fresh teams. However, we strongly encourage you to make sure that you both have similar expectations for your time together in the Lab and that your processes and aesthetics are compatible. The Lab operates on the assumption that you are able to work together and treat your collaborator and fellow Lab members with respect, generosity, and care. 

Our expectation of all Lab members is that you have a willingness to collaborate! We will do our best to provide a container for your collaboration to be nourished. We can help you build expectations and boundaries with one another in the process, but ultimately it is up to you to remain accountable to one another and stick to shared expectations and boundaries. We think it’s worth asking yourself: “If we were to have BIG artistic disagreement, can we imagine ourselves working through that generatively, and are we willing to explore the multitude of paths it will take to get there?” 

Will I be paid for participating in the Lab? 

Yes. Soho Rep. offers a stipend of $4,000 per artist for the duration of the Lab residency, half of which is paid during the period of meetings and the other half paid in advance of the final presentations. We also resource collaborators for your presentation in alignment with compensation offered in our Studio program. 

If you have any questions not answered in this forum, feel free to email lab@sohorep.org and we will respond as we are able. 

Current Co-Chairs:

William Burke and Jackie Sibblies Drury

Thanks to the following friends for supporting the Writer Director Lab: Lawrence Sutton & Rick Titone and The Jerome Foundation.