The Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program encourages and aids the development of new and diverse voices in the American theater.

Under the direction of Christopher Durang and Marsha Norman (seen in photo, left), the Playwrights Program offers one-year, tuition-free, graduate level fellowships to four writers. Playwright fellows are invited to participate with acting students and drama faculty in poetry classes, theater history and literature lectures, and a variety of special events. An Alexander Technique class is one of the courses specifically designed for the playwrights, and actor-playwright collaborations are planned.

Selected playwrights may be invited to continue their studies through a second academic year, thereby completing a total of 52 credits for the two-year fellowship period and earning an Artist Diploma in Playwriting.

Room and board are not included, but a modest stipend is provided by the Lecomte du Nouy Foundation, in honor of the distinguished French scientist and philosopher. The application to the Playwrights Program is due on January 15. For more information and requirements, go to the Artist Diploma in Playwriting area of the General Applications Procedures in the Admissions section of our Web site, or call the Drama Division: (212) 799-5000, ext. 251.