WTP New Play Development Apprenticeship
Those interested in diving deep into professional new play dramaturgy, playwriting, arts administration, new play incubation and more – are invited to apply. WTP encourages Global Majority/BIPOC artists to submit. The mission of this apprenticeship is to support new play artists in all aspects of their career and aspirations. This is not a trade for work or services. Apprentices will:
- Work closely with staff and board to find your home in the organization
- Be offered free access to our 5-6 Master Classes and 2-4 Master Chats per year, including the innovative WTP Dramaturgy Intensive
- Tailor your apprenticeship experience to uplift your artistic and career goals
- Engage in WTP programs and be compensated for your time as a hired artist
- Receive invites to all aspects of the organization, including board meetings
- Create an apprentice project and be supported by WTP with a budget, a collective of WTP artists and mentorship to support your process (this is not required)
Those interested in becoming a WTP Apprentice should send a resume and a brief artistic statement about your interest in new play development and how WTP can support you as an artist to Amber Bradshaw (managing@workingtitleplaywrights.com). Please title your email submission “WTP New Play Development Apprenticeship”. The recipient of the WTP Apprenticeship will be announced before the June 30th Membership Drive and will begin their apprenticeship on July 1st. The deadline for applying next year is April 2023.
Luke Evans, 2022-2023 WTP New Play Development and Dramaturgy Apprentice
Luke Evans is an Atlanta-based playwright and dramaturg. Born and raised in small town Georgia, Luke received his Bachelor’s degree from Oglethorpe University, where he double majored in English and Theatre. He then earned his Master’s degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Houston, where he wrote his Master’s thesis on the importance of queer spectatorship. As an autistic, queer-identifying artist, Luke’s work aims to provide representation for those in the queer and neurodivergent communities. His one-act play Pray On It was chosen as part of the Threshold Reading Series at Actor’s Express in 2020, while his novel The Earth Bound was published that same year by Charlie’s Port Publishing. He has several other projects in the works, all of which he hopes will offer compassion, understanding, and acknowledgment for people in all different marginalized communities (including his own).
Antonia LaChé, 2021-2022 WTP New Play Development and Dramaturgy Apprentice
ANTONIA (she/her) is an actress, writer, teacher, arts administrator, and traveler based in Atlanta, Ga. She is a proud member of the Working Title Playwrights Acting Ensemble. Additionally, she recently performed as Sol in the Actor’s Express inaugural podcast production of Crossroads. Additional credits: Juliet with the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern and Lady Macbeth with Synchronicity Theatre Company.
“Being given the opportunity to be an Apprentice for Working Title Playwrights has been such a gift. This Apprenticeship was personalized for my career needs and goals. I was welcomed by everyone in the organization. The past Apprentices have been supremely positive and supportive. Amber is a gracious and generous mentor. They created a positive atmosphere for feedback. The “Amber Check-ins” are the best! I am able to talk with them about project ideas, world events, skills that I wish to develop, and so much more. I loved my experience so much that I will be joining Working Title’s Board of Directors next year just because I want to stay involved. Thank you, WTP! I am grateful every day to you!”
David Quang Pham, 2020-2021 WTP New Play Development and Dramaturgy Apprentice
DAVID (he/him) is a science dramaturg from Wyoming, Michigan. He has gone through an out-of-the-world experience as the second apprentice of Working Title Playwrights. He loves this space and space in general. This passion for astronomy and theatre manifested from trips to space camp and operas as a kid. He plays the modern sackbut. In high school, he wrote his first musical (MATHLAND) for a Calculus project. He has been drafting musical love letters to science ever since. Janelle Lawrence is his musical mentor. As a member of ΣΠΣ, he attained an astrophysics degree at Michigan State University. Since college, David has been working on a particle physics opera. TOUR revolves around subatomic educators who collide and compete in the academic Accelerator. This summer, he is cowriting the book and music of PARALLEL UNIVERSITY for the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. He traverses science communication through the human condition.
“It was a long journey on the sciart longitude, until I was brought aboard the apprenticeship. The WTP ladder helped me see from the crow’s nest, despite being 9 degrees away in latitude. Not only could I map out my whole world, but there was space. I learnt the dramaturgical ropes and made musical waves. WTP doesn’t mind if you have treasures to share, so long as you treasure your mind. I’m virtually wiser as a science dramaturg, communicator, writer, and friend after this year-long voyage.”
Quinn Xavier Hernandez, Inaugural 2019-2020 WTP New Play Development and Pre-production Apprentice
QUINN (they/them) is a theatremaker residing in Atlanta, GA. Their play, MOMMA, was originally developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center during their time with the National Theater Institute. It has gone on to receive development through Working Title Playwrights’ competitive Ethel Woolson Lab and was featured in the 2021 Actor’s Express Threshold Festival. Their short plays STORM CLOUDS FOR LONELY HEARTS, EAT YOU ALIVE, and YOU ARE GOING TO DO AMAZING THINGS have been featured at the ImproStudio in L.A. through the Wishbone Theatre Collective; through the Atlanta AppCo Alumni Association; and virtually through Actor’s Express. They were one of the writers for CROSSROADS, a new play podcast developed at Actor’s Express through the National New Play Network. Quinn is also a dramaturg and director. Some of their directorial credits include SNOW WHITE & ROSE RED: A DIGITAL FAIRYTALE (The Cultivators), HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (Clemson Players), and HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH (AD, Warehouse Theatre). They originated the Working Title Playwrights New Play Development and Production Apprenticeship and are a founding member of The Cultivators, an Atlanta-based new works development organization for theatre and film. Quinn received their B.A. in Performing Arts (Theatre) with a minor in Dramatic Writing from Clemson University. They are also a proud alumnus of the National Theater Institute’s Advanced Playwriting program. You can learn more here: https://newplayexchange.org/users/12995/quinn-xavier-hernandez
“Not many spaces allow artists, especially young artists, to actively craft their professional development alongside their mentors. WTP’s apprentice isn’t locked into a set schedule of a producing house’s season or time constraints. This allows the New Play Development Apprenticeship to easily adapt to the needs of each individual apprentice. It’s truly a blessing and a unique opportunity in Atlanta.”
Rosalind Ayres-Williams Memorial Scholarship for Black Playwrights
Launched in 2018, Working Title Playwrights is grateful to be able to honor past WTP member Rosalind Ayres-Williams through this Memorial Scholarship, funded through an anonymous donor.
The Scholarship will be awarded on a two year cycle, for ten years. The deadline for 2023-2025 Scholarship applications is April 30, 2023
As one of the recipients of the Rosalind Ayres-Williams Scholarship for Black playwrights, I discovered a place where my voice was authentically embraced. My time with WTP has been an absolute game changer.
-Avery Sharpe, Playwright, Actor
2022-2024 Recipient
MARCUS SCOTT (he/him) is a playwright, musical theatre writer & journalist. Selected works: “Tumbleweed” (finalist for the 2017 Bay Area Playwrights Festival and the 2017 Festival of New American Plays at Austin Playhouse; semifinalist for the 2022 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference, the 2022 Blue Ink Playwriting Award and the 2017 New Dramatists Princess Grace Fellowship Award), “Sibling Rivalries” (finalist for the 2021 Seven Devils Playwrights Conference and the 2021 ATHE-KCACTF Judith Royer Excellence In Playwriting Award; semi-finalist for the 2022 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, the 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Award and the 2021 New Dramatists Princess Grace Fellowship Award) and “Cherry Bomb” (NY Theatre Barn New Works Series; recipient of the 2017 Drama League First Stage Artist-In-Residence). He was commissioned by Heartbeat Opera to adapt Beethoven’s “Fidelio” (Librettist/Co-writer; The Met Museum, Mondavi Center; NY Times Critic’s Pick and scored “Highbrow and brilliant” by New York Magazine’s Approval Matrix). Scott is a 2021 NYSAF Founders’ Award finalist and a 2021 Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award semi-finalist. His articles appeared in Architectural Digest, Time Out New York, American Theatre Magazine, Playbill, Elle, Out, Essence, The Brooklyn Rail, among others. MFA: NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
2021-2023 Recipient
SONDAI NANABULUKU (he/him) is a Georgia born writer and all around theatre lover. “I am a profound believer in the power of the spoken word being invoked on a stage and to me, that means understanding your foundation first and foremost which is why I focus on self-love for the characters in my work. The name Sondai means keep pushing forward and I try to assure people that we all have the ability to persevere within us through an artistic exploration of history, spiritual revelations, and discovering a more genuine sense of self-love.” As a writer Sondai has created numerous full length, one-act as well as short plays and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally through the support of Working Title Playwrights.
2020-2022 Recipient
ALIYAH CURRY (she/her) is a Southern-raised writer and filmmaker, focusing on Black female sexuality and mental health. She brings these stories to life on stage, screen, and other mediums such as photography and poetry. Her work has been featured in Port City Review, Permission to Write, and various film festivals and exhibitions.
“As a young writer and filmmaker focused on Black female sexuality and mental health, WTP would help me hone in on my voice and make sure that the voices of women are heard. The critique sessions and table reading opportunities would help me as I begin this career, to have my words heard and living instead of stuck on the page. The more I learn, the better I can reach and serve my community with plays.”
2018-2020 Recipients
CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON (he/him) is honored to join WTP to stretch his wings as a playwright. An Atlanta native and actor, Christopher first performed on Spelman’s stage at the age of four. Christopher has performed nationally at the Freedom Theater in Philadelphia, the Denver Center Theater Company, The Redcat, Boston Court, and Bootleg theaters in Los Angeles, the Mixed Blood theatre in Minneapolis, 7Stages and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Christopher received a B.F.A at the California Institute of the Arts. As a writer he has created many comedy shorts, developed plays, and written a full length play called Cracking Zeus. In all of his work he attempts to elevate awareness and compassion, and hopes to continue in that with WTP.
AVERY SHARPE (he/him) is an actor and playwright from Atlanta. He has performed on a variety of stages including the Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Express and Stage Door Players. He is a proud member of the Dad’s Garage Theatre Company where he can be seen regularly doing improv and scripted shows. As a playwright, his first full length play Woke was the runner up for 2018 Detroit New Works Festival and a co-winner of the 2018 Essential Theatre Playwriting Competition. He looks forward to the journey of growing into his fullest potential as a writer, and he would like to thank his loved ones and Working Title Playwrights.
Rosalind Ayres-Williams: 1949-2017
“Roz was a great believer of WTP’s mission and appreciated the organization’s commitment to inclusion and diversity,” says Patrick Cuccaro, “The scholarship is a fitting way to honor Roz and extend her legacy of looking out for others, especially those who might otherwise be overlooked.”
Roz died on Christmas Eve, 2017, at the age of 68 after a prolonged illness. Along with her skill as a writer, Roz was known for her generous spirit.
“Roz was a friend” says WTP Managing Artistic Director, Amber Bradshaw. “Her presence at WTP events is missed. I am grateful we have the opportunity to honor her with this scholarship”.
“I am only gone in body, which served me well for 68 years. My body got tired, but my spirit will live on. I now look forward to serving and loving you in ancestral form.” —Roz Ayres-Williams, 1949-2017.
Working Title Playwrights 