Cultivating New Voices in American Theatre
The inaugural Baylor New Play Initiative (BNPI) is one of the first initiatives of its kind, focused not only on identifying promising playwrights but also on cultivating their work in partnership with professional theatres and academic institutions.
The BNPI committee invited submissions from professional theatre partners and select M.F.A. programs seeking compelling, original works from rising playwrights. Four finalists have been invited to Waco for a week of professional development, creative collaboration and public celebration. One of these four works will receive the $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize and with it, a powerful step forward into the future of American theatre.
Performances of the selected plays will be staged during the Baylor New Play Initiative Festival.
Sept. 26–28
Mabee Theatre, Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center
BNPI is made possible through the vision and generosity of Baylor alumni Preston, B.A. ’68, and Rhonda Dale Kirk, B.A. ’68, whose long-standing support of American theatre helped lay the groundwork for this initiative. Over a decade ago, the Kirks envisioned a national platform for developing playwrights, underwriting years of research into best practices in new play development.