ANNOUNCING THE FUTURE OF THE
NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
 

We are so grateful for this community of playwrights that has grown out of the National Playwrights Symposium! We are looking forward to continuing this event for years to come and to expand our offerings and opportunities for writers across the country. So on that note...
 

The National Playwrights Symposium will be transitioning to a BIENNIAL SCHEDULE! Our next gathering is set to begin in May of 2026!
 

Although we will miss you all this May, we are enthusiastic about these changes! Here is some information:

This shift is part of our ongoing commitment to elevate and enrich the playwriting community by expanding and enhancing our program. With more time between events, we can plan for and offer even deeper, more immersive opportunities for playwrights to connect, create, and develop their craft in powerful new ways.

​

Our biggest goal at the NPS has always been to foster a community of dedicated and talented playwrights and to help them to develop as artists and thrive as practicing writers by learning from some of the world's best and most acclaimed artists of the stage and screen.

​

As circumstances in our country change, economically, culturally, and politically, we continue to be committed to doing so in a way that is accessible to ALL skilled playwrights. This includes any artist who comes to us regardless of financial limitations, race, gender-identity, and sexual orientation. No matter where you come from, what you look like or how you identify, we want the NPS community to welcome you! One of our greatest goals is to continue our program in a way that is within reach to more people.

​

While we’re still finalizing the details, rest assured that the core of what you’ve loved about the symposium for the past 13 years will remain the heart of the experience. The additional time between events will enable us to curate more focused and impactful experiences, giving us the chance to bring in more resources, industry professionals, and diverse voices. Some of our future goals that are in discussion might include:

• A possible second "intensive" that helps develop some of our writers' full-length plays.

​

• Greater external funding, including grants and donations, in order to offset the quickly increasing costs of running such an event in Cape May in the late spring, and to reduce the financial burden on those of us who might find the cost of the event to be prohibitive.

​

• Widening our reach to more artists across the country promoting increased visibility nationally.

​

• Increasing an emphasis on the diversity, equity, and inclusion for both our participating writers and "Master Playwrights."

​

• A national selection process and NPS Award (to be named later) that supports highly-accomplished emerging playwrights to develop their work.

​

• ...and much more!

 

We are thrilled about this new direction and look forward to fostering even greater collaboration and innovation within the vibrant world of playwriting!

 

If any of you wish to discuss this directly, feel free to contact me personally at (435) 757-1258.

​

Thank you for your continued support, creativity, and generous collaboration! We are excited for the future of The National Playwrights Symposium and of our community of wonderful artists and friends!

​

With kindest regards,

Shawn