VOICES AT THE RIVER II
Voices at the River 5/1/2010

The program, underwritten by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and designed to support African-American and Latino playwrights both nationally and in Arkansas, includes a two-week residency for playwrights, directors and actors at Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

“This is the only program of its kind in the country that brings emerging and established African-American and Latino playwrights together to celebrate and promote our cultures and stories in American theatre,” said project coordinator, Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. “Through this program and award, we will help continue and preserve the legacy of these artists for years to come.”

Once selected, Voices at the River II playwrights will take part in a two-week residency at The Rep, where they will work alongside directors, actors and Rep staff to refine their specific projects for the stage. The residency includes play development and readings, mentoring, critiques and panel discussions.

The Voices at the River II playwright residency and festival, scheduled for July 2010, will feature public readings and panel discussions for participants and the general public.

Voices at the River II follows the inaugural Voices at the River which developed the works of playwrights Vanessa Garcia, Javon Johnson, Guillermo Reyes, and Ajene D. Washington in 2007.

Voices at the River also honored Lynn Nottage and Luis Valdez for their contributions to American theatre. Young Arkansan playwright, Spirit Trickey, was mentored in the creation of her play, One Ninth, and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, it became Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s statewide educational tour in January of 2009.

“Arkansas Repertory Theatre is pleased to build upon the success of our inaugural project and continue to offer developmental opportunities for African-American and Latino playwrights. The dialogue that emerged from Voices at the River had a profound impact on the participating playwrights and on the artistic life of our theatre.” said Robert Hupp, The Rep’s producing artistic director.

Submitted work must not have been previously published. Prior readings of submitted work, however, are acceptable. There is a cast limit of 10 actors and a limit of one submission per year. Playwrights should include a biography with script submissions.

Students enrolled in Arkansas colleges and universities are encouraged to submit plays, one acts and works in progress. The student component affords young developing playwrights in Arkansas the opportunity to work alongside directors, actors and Rep staff to refine their specific projects for the stage through mentorship with their more experienced counterparts that have also been selected for participation.

National submissions will be accepted now through January 31, 2010. Student submissions will be accepted now through March 1, 2010.

Selected participants will be notified mid-March and will be provided with transportation and living expenses for two weeks in July 2010.

Interested artists can find more information about Voices at the River II at www.therep.org.

About Voices at the River
Voices at the River celebrates the spirit and breadth of African-American and Latino voices in contemporary American theatre and, in conjunction with the playwrights’ residency, will also identify and encourage young, aspiring African-American and Latino playwrights in Arkansas, providing mentoring opportunities and financial support. The program will recognize an African-American or Latino playwright with The Legacy Award for his or her significant contributions to American theatre.

“This is the only program of its kind in the country that brings emerging and established African-American and Latino playwrights together to celebrate and promote our cultures and stories in American theatre,” said project coordinator, Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. “Through this program and award, we will help continue and preserve the legacy of these artists for years to come.”

The Voices at the River II playwright residency and festival, scheduled for July 2010, will feature public readings and panel discussions for participants and the general public. For more information on scheduled events, visit www.therep.org.

About the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
In 1974, the trustees of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller’s estate endowed the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation to continue the work of The Rockwin Fund. Governor Rockefeller set up The Rockwin Fund in 1954 and, on an annual basis from 1956 until his death in 1973, funded projects and programs he believed were important to improving the quality of life in Arkansas. The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation whose mission is to improve the lives of Arkansans by funding programs and projects that improve education, economic development, and economic, racial and social justice. During the past 35 years, the foundation has awarded more than $90 million in grants. Additional information about the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation can be found on its website at www.wrfoundation.org.

About the Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Founded in 1976, Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state’s largest nonprofit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT D), The Rep has produced more than 280 productions, including 40 world premieres, in its historic building in downtown Little Rock. Producing Artistic Director Robert Hupp leads a resident staff of designers, technicians and administrators in the creation of eight to 10 productions for an annual audience in excess of 70,000 for MainStage and SecondStage productions, educational programming and touring. The Rep produces works that range from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premieres and the classics of dramatic literature. For more information, visit www.therep.org.Voices at the River celebrates the spirit and breadth of African-American and Latino voices in contemporary American theatre and also identifies and encourages young, aspiring African-American and Latino playwrights in Arkansas, providing mentoring opportunities and financial support.