WRITERS ROOM
Life Jacket is now accepting applications for our WRITERS ROOM, a new dramaturgical home dedicated to supporting and uplifting emerging LGBTQ+ playwrights based in the New York City area who are interested in creating new investigative works based on (or inspired by) real people and events.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
MARCH-MAY 2025: Participants will meet twice monthly in a writing studio in Manhattan (six sessions in total) to take turns presenting new pages from full-length plays that they are actively developing. Playwrights will then receive feedback from their fellow participants to help refine and enhance their work.
MAY 2025: Life Jacket will produce one public reading featuring 10-minute excerpts of the playwrights’ collective works developed during this program. Each playwright will be responsible for securing the actors and directors needed to appropriately present their work.
ELIGIBILITY
Qualified applicants will identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, have written at least 2 full-length plays/musicals, reside in the New York City area, be able to meet twice monthly in-person during the duration of this program, and are classified as emerging (e.g., have not had a professional production of their work in New York City with a run longer than 4 weeks or 21 performances). Individuals currently enrolled in full-time degree/certificate programs are not eligible for this program.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
ARTIST BIO: A current bio. 150 words max.
ARTIST STATEMENT: A description of why you are interested and a synopsis of the work you wish to develop in this program. 500 words max.
WRITING SAMPLE: Excerpt of a completed play OR the work that you wish to develop while participating in this program. 10 pages max.
TIMELINE
NOVEMBER 15, 2024: Applications open.
DECEMBER 15, 2024: Applications close at 5PM EST (or earlier if 200 applications are received, whichever comes first).
FEBRUARY 2025: Applicants are notified of admission decisions.
THE SUBMISSION WINDOW CLOSED ON DECEMBER 15, 2025. WE ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING ALL APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 COHORT.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email: lifejacketwritersroom@gmail.com.