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WP Lab


MEET THE 2012-2014 LAB ARTISTS!

The artistic heart of Women's Project lies in the Lab: a two-year residency program for women playwrights, directors and producers. Selected through a highly-competitive process, the Lab provides members with a vital professional network, entreprenurial and leadership training, rehearsal space, and most significantly, tangible opportunities for the development and production of bold new work for the stage.

The Lab has two main goals: to cultivate the work of women theater artists and to give women artists the tools they need to succeed in the business. In addition to developing their own unique work, Lab artists collaboratively create a culminating residency production. Past shows include WE PLAY FOR THE GODS (2012), GLOBAL COOLING (2009), CORPORATE CARNIVAL (2008), and GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUND$ (2007).

Under the auspices of Women’s Project, the 2008-2010 Lab Playwrights published in August 2010 OUT OF TIME AND PLACE, a two-volume anthology of plays, including contributions from 11 Lab Playwrights. With an introduction by Theresa Rebeck, the anthology is marketed to academic communities hungry for work by women that feature strong female roles.

The opportunities in the WP Lab do not stop at WP. Having forged strong working relationships, the Lab artists continue to work together long after their official residency ends. And WP continues to advocate ferociously for its Lab alumnae by brokering agents, providing references, and submitting their work—often first developed in the Lab--to theaters around the country. Most significantly, WP puts its money where its mouth is by hiring Lab artists for main stage productions; over 75% of plays produced at WP during the past five years were written and/or directed by WP's Lab artists and alumnae.

Time Warner Foundation

Time Warner Foundation, Inc. provides leadership support of Lab artists and new play development at Women's Project.

PLAYWRIGHTS LAB
Founded in 1994, the Playwrights Lab helps members to develop new work in a productive environment. In addition to the full-Lab meetings, Lab Playwrights meet monthly under the direction of Megan Carter, Associate Artistic Director and Dramaturg, to hear their work read aloud and receive feedback.

“The Women's Project Lab is the single most empowering experience I have had as an emerging writer.  It is wisely organized, it cultivates cross-pollination amongst a brilliant group of theatre-makers and with WP's track record of producing past lab writers on their stages they are showing not telling that they are excited by our work and ready to help launch it into the world.” Kristen Palmer, Playwright, WP Lab 2010-2012

“The WP Lab has opened a window in my life and career: I feel that am being advocated for and supported in ways that are difficult to find along the autonomous and often lonely road of the playwright. The combination of wise advice, support and mentorship, the lively sparks of collaboration and the genuine sense of community all provide hope and inspiration that I should keep going; afterall, if the lab believes in me as a writer, how can I not believe in myself?” Alexandra Collier, Playwright, WP Lab 2010-2012

Click here for 2012-2014 Lab Playwrights
Click here for Playwright Lab Alumnae

DIRECTORS LAB
WP's Directors Lab is the oldest director group in New York City has served over 135 members since it was founded in 1983 as the Directors Forum. The Lab allows members to network and discuss directorial techniques and trends in the field, while creating collaborative relationships with members of the Playwrights and Producers Labs.

"It is a rare treasure to be a part of such a talented and vibrant community of women theatre artists.  The Women's Project not only cultivates community and artistic inspiration within the Lab, but embraces our artistic work as an integral component of their artistic programming. I am truly lucky to be a part of it." Jessi D. Hill, Director, WP Lab 2010-2012

"The WP Lab is an amazing resource for emerging artists! I can't think of another place where directors, playwrights AND producers have the opportunity to both network and collaborate regularly among a group of such diverse, intelligent, and savvy artists. Not to mention that all this happens in an inspiring, non-competitive environment that is truly an artistic home for each and every artist in the Lab. The Lab is a force to be reckoned with. It's like a cross between a creative think tank, a stimulating lecture series, a new works development Lab, and a ridiculously fun artists' retreat happening smack in the middle of NYC." Mia Rovegno, Director, WP Lab 2010-2012

Click here for 2012-2014 Lab Directors
Click here for Directors Lab Alumnae


PRODUCERS LAB
Established in September 2006, the Producers Lab members work to extend the influence of women theater artists. Armed with practical tools and powerful connections, Producer Lab members are empowered to advance specific theatrical projects and special events at WP and beyond. The Producers Lab is founded on a firm belief in the power of creative producing, and strives to make its members equally at home analyzing plays and financial statements.

"It is such a privilege to meet once a month with a group of vibrant, amazing women hungry to work. Everyone needs a posse of co-conspirators! From a producing perspective, it’s so beneficial to be included in the WP Lab (which is unique compared to a lot of similar labs in the city)–I so appreciate the ability to have candid conversations with playwright and director peers about how we approach and pursue this work together. I think we learn so much from the dialogue of our individual experiences–playwrights should know how to think like a producer about their plays, producers should be able to rally production teams like a director, etc. Being part of the Women’s Project community is really tremendous, and WP should be getting more credit for the contribution they’re making to the field through the Lab.” Manda Martin, Producer, WP Lab 2010-2012

"The WP Lab is a truly unique and remarkable experience.  I can think of no other performing arts organization that offers mentoring and support for early career theater producers; and really, if your goal is to effect change in the way that theater is created and how opportunities are made available to women artists, then producers are the place to start.  I have felt incredibly supported by the Lab – meeting and strategizing with other women theater artists and producers on how to navigate the New York theater world; having the opportunity of WP’s space grants for free rehearsal space to develop new work; and getting the professional experience of producing Off-Broadway as the Associate Producer of APPLE COVE.  A thousand thanks to WP!" Elizabeth R English, Producer, WP Lab 2010-2012

Click here for 2012-2014 Lab Producers
Click here for Producers Lab Alumnae

Time Warner Foundation

Time Warner Foundation, Inc. provides leadership support of Lab artists and new play development at Women's Project.