Introducing the 2020-2021 Fellows, Mentees, Core Apprentices, and new 2020-23 Core Writers

The Playwrights' Center is excited to introduce you to this year's program recipients. This includes our 2020–21 McKnight National Residency and Commission recipient, 2020–21 McKnight Fellows in Playwriting, 2020–21 McKnight Theater Artist Fellows, 2020–21 Jerome and Many Voices Fellows and Mentee, 2020-23 Core Writers, and our 2020–21 Core Apprentices. Please join us in welcoming these outstanding writers into the Playwrights' Center family!

The 2020–21 McKnight National Residency and Commission recipient is Gracie Gardner. The McKnight National Residency and Commission funds the creation and development of new works and comes with a $15,000 commission, $5,750 in workshop funds, and travel and housing stipends.

The 2020–21 McKnight Fellows in Playwriting are Marvin González De León and Savannah Reich. The McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting awards two Minnesota-based playwrights a $25,000 stipend, $2,500 to support play development and other professional expenses, and $1,400 in travel funds.

The 2020-2021 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships have been awarded to Kurt Kwan (Actor), Abbee Warmboe (Properties Designer), and Talvin Wilks (Director). The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships at the Playwrights’ Center recognize theater artists living and working in Minnesota (other than playwrights) who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence. The program supports these mid-career artists with a $25,000 fellowship.

The 2020–21 Jerome Fellows are Candrice Jones, Shannon TL Kearns, and Tylie Shider. The Jerome Fellowship is intended to support early-career playwrights who demonstrate extraordinary potential, artistic vision, and a commitment to spending a year in residency in Minnesota developing their work. Fellows receive an $18,000 stipend in addition to $2,000 in development support.

The 2020–21 Many Voices Fellows are Cristina Florencia Castro and Katie Ka Vang. Many Voices Fellows receive an $18,000 stipend and $2,000 in play development funds. Supported by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, this program is designed to increase cultural diversity in the contemporary theater, both locally and nationally.

This year's Many Voices Mentees are  JuCoby Johnson and Nora Montañez. Our Many Voices Mentees are provided with a $2,000 stipend as well as free access to over $1,500 in services designed to introduce beginning playwrights to the craft of playwriting. Supported by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, this program is designed to increase cultural diversity in the contemporary theater, both locally and nationally.

This year's incoming Core Writers are Sharon Bridgforth, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, Andrew Rosendorf, Riti Sachdeva, Charly Evon Simpson, Crystal Skillman, and Jonathan Spector. The Core Writer Program at the Playwrights’ Center provides play development workshops and professional support to 25 to 30 playwrights from across the country over a three-year term. Work by Core Writers is featured in the Center’s public season (the PlayLabs new play festival in October and the Ruth Easton New Play Series December through April).

The 2020–21 Core Apprentice playwrights are Kelly Renee Armstrong, Nicholas Kaidoo, and Keyanna Khatiblou. The Core Apprentice program at the Playwrights’ Center pairs student playwrights with professional mentors and offers full play development workshops at the Center.