Che'Rae Adams

BIG NEWS FOR 2027! The Foundry at PlayPenn, Philadelphia’s preeminent playwright collective, launches its inaugural festival in 2027, spotlighting new work by the next generation of theater artists, produced in association with @philatheatreco . The 2027 Festival will feature readings of new work by Lulu Duffy-Tumasz, Aly Gonzalez, and August Hakvaag. March 12–14, 2027 at The Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake March 20 and 21, 2027 in NYC! The Foundry at PlayPenn is a tuition-free three-year playwrights’ workshop for emerging/early career Philadelphia-based writers, guided by lead artists L M Feldman and R. Eric Thomas. Writers meet regularly to share work, exchange feedback, and engage in meaningful artistic dialogue within a supportive and rigorous creative community. Its alumni include Chris Davis, Emma Goidel, Sarah Mantell, MJ Kaufman, R. Eric Thomas, Erlina Ortiz, MK Tuomanen, Iraisa Ann Reilly, Chaz T. Martin, Lex Thammavong, and Zahra Patterson along with the more than 60 playwrights who have participated in the program since 2012. Current Foundry Members include Rayne, Siddarth Anand, Natyna Bean, Lulu Duffy-Tumasz, Monica Flory, Aly Gonzalez, August Hakvaag, Nick Jonczak, Pravin Wilkins. Lead Photo @jameskernphotography

Thank you for an amazing 2025 and for your continued support in 2026 and beyond. Here’s to another 20 years of creation, collaboration, and imagination. Your support of PlayPenn this year empowered more than 200 theatre writers to move the American theatre forward. In the twenty years since our founding, PlayPenn has expanded its reach and deepened its impact. This year alone, three PlayPenn playwrights are heading to Broadway and two to Off-Broadway, in addition to numerous world premieres and productions in Philadelphia and across the nation. To date, PlayPenn has helped develop more than 160 new works which have gone on to receive more than 370 full productions at theatres throughout the United States and abroad. Whether through The Foundry, which offers three years of free mentorship to Philadelphia writers; The Playwrights Cohort, helping playwrights strengthen their business and professional skills; our Continuing Education classes, which provide affordable, high-quality online training to artists around the world; or our annual New Play Development Conference, which gathers our entire community to support the visions and artistry of our Resident Playwrights, your support made it possible for creators to take bold artistic risks.

PlayPenn Proud! /philadelphia/article/PlayPenn-Renames-Tuition-Free-Playwrights-Cohort-as-The-Playwright-Entrepreneur-Program-Reveals-2026-Cohort-20251219

What a gift to host these 30 playwrights in 2026! Formerly known as The Playwrights Cohort, PlayPenn’s Playwright Entrepreneur Program (PEP), is a first-of-its-kind, tuition-free professional development program designed to help playwrights build sustainable, self-directed careers. This initiative addresses a critical gap in traditional artistic training by focusing on the practical business skills playwrights need to thrive. Over the course of a year PEP provides education, training, and individualized mentorship to playwrights at all career levels, covering essential topics such as negotiating contracts, protecting intellectual property rights, securing representation, practicing self-advocacy, and managing finances and taxes. By empowering playwrights as artists, creative arts workers, and entrepreneurs, PlayPenn is redefining how the field supports the long-term success of playwrights. After receiving over 100 applications, the 2026 Playwright Entrepreneur Program cohort, the third cohort since the program’s inception since 2023, will include: Carla Debbie Alleyne Flo Ankah Bonnie Antosh Phillip Gregory Burke Megan Campisi Douglas Chang D-Davis Sopan Deb Cori Diaz Jared Eberlein Anthony T. Goss Nay Harris Jim Hawkins Lauren Holmes Darrel Alejandro Holnes Rebecca Kane Delaney Kelly Solomon LeBlanc Neil Levi Martin Murray Greg T. Nanni Esmé Maria Ng Serena Norr Brian Scanlan chandra thomas Andrew Aaron Valdez Mallory Jane Weiss Lauren Wimmer Avigayle Young Natalie Zutter We are thrilled to support these amazing individuals whose multidisciplinary careers span disciplines, practices, and perspectives.

Join us for this special 8-week online writing StoryLab where 50+ women writers can develop their work and share ideas, and build a vibrant creative community. In this supportive, craft-focused space, we'll explore form, structure, and the unique demands of stage and screen. Working on a stage play? Bring your pages. A screenplay? Bring your pages. A new TV or streaming pilot? BRING. YOUR. PAGES. Each session blends targeted writing exercises with the sharing of new pages for feedback from the instructors and other StoryLab participants. HOW TO REGISTER: Many PlayPenn classes are delivered online and open to participants worldwide. To register for this class visit /classes or use the link in our bio ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS: Drawing on decades of experience in new play development, Che'Rae Adams, brings the same clarity and intention she discovered while working in the room with Luis Alfaro, Jon Bastian, Lee Blessing, Patricia Cardosa, Anthony Clarvoe, John DiFusco, Ken Hanes, Tony Kushner, Oliver Mayer, Ellen McLaughlin, Abi Morgan, Han Ong, Peter Parnell, Tim Toyoma, Alice Tuan, and Mac Wellman. Che’Rae has been the Producing Artistic Director of the LA Writers Center since 2006 where she develops new work with local writers. She was the Director of Operations and Programming for the Moss Theater in Santa Monica for seven years and has been the Development Executive for Playhouse Pictures Studios, Co-Artistic Director of the Road Theatre Company, and Managing Producer for the LA Women’s Theatre Festival. Che'Rae joined PlayPenn's staff as its second Artistic Director in 2023. Angeline Larimer, MFA, MA, GCMH, is a playwright, dramaturg and the Executive Director of Propel New Works, a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of support for story development. Angeline is also a public health bioethicist, and an applied theatre professional who works at the intersection of health humanities, community, and theatre. Larimer incorporates applied theatre and ethics into health and medical education and community outreach, helping individuals share their stories while ensuring they retain ownership of their narratives.

What truth at the heart of your play is waiting for you to finally name it? After multiple sold-out intensives, PlayPenn's Artistic Director, Che'Rae Adams, returns with an in-person six-hour workshop in New York City, an experience designed for playwrights struggling to find the true heart of their plays, or who need inspiration to dig deeper and fully understand what their story is really about. Drawing on decades of experience in new play development, Che'Rae brings the same clarity and intention she discovered while working in the room with Tony Kushner on "Angels in America: Perestroika", Peter Parnell on "The Cider House Rules", and the late Jon Bastian on "Strange Fruit" These large scale, emotionally rich works were master classes in getting to the root of the story, author intent. When a playwright understands the purpose behind their story, the writing becomes more focused, more alive, and more resonant. In this workshop, Che'Rae guides participants through a series of targeted exercises designed to uncover the true heart of the play. Writers learn how to clarify their protagonist's action and objective, how to structure a story with intention, and how to articulate why their play matters, both to them and to the world they are writing into. These tools have proven again and again to help playwrights strengthen their work from the inside out. HOW TO REGISTER: This six-hour in-person intensive will take place in New York City. Small snacks, coffee, and drinks will be provided for participants. To register for this class visit /classes or use the link in our bio ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Che’Rae has been the Producing Artistic Director of the LA Writers Center since 2006 where she develops new work with local writers. She was the Director of Operations and Programming for the Moss Theater in Santa Monica for seven years and has been the Development Executive for Playhouse Pictures Studios, Co-Artistic Director of the Road Theatre Company, and Managing Producer for the LA Women’s Theatre Festival. Che'Rae joined PlayPenn's staff as its second Artistic Director in 2023.

Thank you to The Kilroys for acknowledging the work we do at PlayPenn! /2025/11/18/the-kilroys-reveal-round-2-of-the-web/

Santiago Iacinti, a Kilroys 3.0 Cohort Member and PlayPenn’s Associate Artistic Director & Director of Education, guides this 12-week session modeled on Julia Cameron’s seminal work to help artists recover their creative confidence. "The Artist’s Way" written by Julia Cameron supports artists in their creative recovery. It teaches techniques and exercises to assist people in gaining self-confidence in harnessing their creative talents and skills. Participants will read one chapter a week prior to convening as a group. As a group, you will then come together to discuss the chapter and activities of the week. This is meant to be a safe and brave space. Each participant will make their own goals and have their own journey in reclaiming ownership of their artist practice. HOW TO REGISTER: All PlayPenn classes are delivered online and open to participants worldwide. To register for this class visit /classes or use the link in our bio FINANCIAL AID: PlayPenn believes that cost should never be a barrier to learning. The PlayPenn Access Scholarship offers partial financial support to help a limited number of students join our Fall/Winter 2025 classes. Scholarships are awarded based on the potential impact of participation. PAYMENT PLANS: Flexible payment plans are available, and we’re happy to work with students to find a solution that fits their needs. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Santiago Iacinti (they/them) is a Director, Producer, Writer and Educator. They were born in Mexico, raised in San Diego and live full time in New York. Over the past four seasons they have served as Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education at PlayPenn — where they have helped develop 29+ new plays. Iacinti was the inaugural Artistic/Literary Intern at The Old Globe, an inaugural member of the Roundabout Directors Group, an Emerging Directing Resident at Milwaukee Rep, and an alumnus of Directors Lab West. As a Director, they have also worked nationally at Yale Rep, Primary Stages, Playwrights Center, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Wilma Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, The Sol Project and Moxie Theatre.

We know that cost can be a barrier for some students, and we want to make our classes accessible to as many artists as possible. The new PlayPenn Access Scholarship offers partial financial support to help a limited number of participants join our Fall/Winter 2025 classes. Scholarships are awarded based on the potential impact of participation. Classes start October 13. Limited seats available. Apply today! The Art of Musical Theatre Lyrics (Section 2) starts Tuesday, November 4 Theatricality! Writing for the Stage! starts Monday, October 27 Writing the Ten-Minute Play starts Thursday, October 23 The Art of Stage Dialogue starts Thursday, October 23 Reclaim Your Creative Practice starts Tuesday, October 21 Rewrite in Reverse starts Monday, October 13 Since 2015, PlayPenn has offered a dynamic roster of Continuing Education classes for theatre artists of all experience levels. All PlayPenn classes are delivered online and open to participants worldwide.

Learn how to create compelling dialogue for the stage! This class will give you specific tools with which to craft your dialogue so that it illuminates character, enhances dramatic progression, and engages your audiences in a more active way. Through class exercises, we’ll explore the challenges of writing dialogue such as overwriting, repetition, rhythm, and subtext. This course will provide an extensive dialogue development toolbox from which to draw upon for the duration of your playwriting career. You will be able to apply the exercises from this course to any play that you write, enabling you to know and understand your dialogue more fully. HOW TO REGISTER: All PlayPenn classes are delivered online and open to participants worldwide. To register for this class visit /classes or use the link in our bio ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Paul Olmos is a Mexican-American playwright who focuses on the creation of space for marginalized, underrepresented communities and gives them heightened poetic language and theatricality. While his work is always personal, it is aimed at reaching across socio-political boundaries, showing the ridiculous of how separate we are, and illuminating hope for future generations. He is a three-time Sundance Institute Fellowship/Residency recipient, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival Commissioned Playwright, Center Theatre Group LA Workshop playwright, Drama League nominee, inaugural Dramatists Guild Catalyst Fellow, Geffen Playhouse Writers Room playwright, New Dramatists alum, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab playwright, Playwrights’ Center Core Writer, inaugural Primary Stages Creative Development Grantee, Princess Grace Awardee in Playwriting, two-time Ojai Playwrights Conference playwright, and a Repertorio Español Miranda Family Nuestra Voces Playwriting Awardee. ABOUT PLAYPENN: At PlayPenn, we empower writers to question, explore, and dream, so they can push the boundaries of storytelling in the American theatre. We support playwrights and new play development through a range of offerings including free programs such as our New Play Development Conference, The Foundry, and more.

Congratulations to Playwright Ty Defoe, Director Santiago Iacinti (PlayPenn’s Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education), Dramaturg Heather Helinsky, Yale Rep, and the incredible cast of Trans World Part Two, which held a private reading this week. We’re sending love and light to this brilliant team as they continue to bring this powerful trilogy to life. PlayPenn was honored to help develop Trans World Part One in 2024, and it’s inspiring to witness this next chapter take shape. Credit: First Photo: Hannah Gellman Additional Photos: @jameskernphotography

Calling all playwrights, composers, lyricists, dramaturgs, directors, actors, and other theatre artists! Rewrite the rules this fall with PlayPenn. Take your theatre-practice to the next level with PlayPenn’s fall/winter classes starting October 13. "Rewrite in Reverse" begins October 13, 2025 C. Julian Jiménez, a celebrated playwright and professor, flips the revision process entirely and helps writers find fresh layers of character, structure, and dialogue by working backward. Unlock the ability to reshape your drafts from end to start, revealing hidden depth and breakthroughs. "Overcoming Writer’s Block" begins October 20, 2025 Mathilde Dratwa, a Belgian playwright, screenwriter, and teacher, shares her creative strategies for breaking through barriers and sustaining momentum. Learn concrete, repeatable tools to bypass fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt. "Reclaim Your Creative Practice" begins October 21, 2025 Santiago Iacinti, PlayPenn’s Associate Artistic Director & Director of Education, guides this 12-week session modeled on Julia Cameron’s seminal work to help writers recover their creative confidence. Study techniques from "The Artist’s Way" to reconnect with and deepen your artistry. "The Art of Musical Theatre Lyrics" begins October 22, 2025 John Dietrich, a seasoned lyricist and director known for productions such as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, leads students through rhyme, song form, prosody, and storytelling in song. Study the craft of lyric writing through the work of influential musical theatre lyricists. "The Art of Stage Dialogue" begins October 23, 2025 Matthew Paul Olmos, an award-winning playwright and educator, teaches the art of writing dialogue that carries urgency and meaning. Learn how to captivate your audience with dialogue that holds attention through tension, emotion, and surprise. "Writing The Ten-Minute Play" begins October 23, 2025 Arianna Rose, an acclaimed playwright and educator whose work has been produced across the United States and internationally, leads this 10-week exploration of ten-minute playcraft. Master structure, character, and dialogue in short-form plays.