Horizon Theatre in Inman Park is currently hosting its 27th Annual New South Young Playwrights Festival (NSYPF), showcasing the talents of over two dozen young playwrights from across the nation.
Running until June 7, this festival has drawn a selection of 25 aspiring writers, chosen from a competitive pool of college submissions nationwide.
Despite the challenges posed by the recent cancellation of a key $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Horizon Theatre has successfully continued the festival as planned, thanks to the generous contributions from individual and foundation donors.
The grant, initially awarded in November 2024, was critical for the planning stages of the festival, which includes hiring personnel and reserving travel for participating students.
Horizon Theatre’s Co-Artistic/Producing Director, Lisa Adler, expressed her gratitude towards the donors for their vital support, stating, “The New South Young Playwrights Festival is our most nationally impactful program, identifying and nurturing writers that have gone on to major careers in theatre, television, and film.”
During the festival, attendees immerse themselves in an intensive week-long series of playwrighting workshops and seminars led by professional theatre artists.
From morning until night, the student playwrights engage in a learning environment designed to enhance their skills and introduce them to the professional world of theatre and media writing.
Horizon aims to foster a community of writers and mentors, extending beyond the festival experience.
This supportive atmosphere is regarded by many NSYPF alumni as truly life-changing.
The New South Young Playwrights 5-Minute Play Festival will highlight the fruits of the participants’ labor with a free showcase scheduled for June 7 at 2 p.m.
The lead mentors for the festival this year are esteemed professionals in the field: France-Luce Benson, Kira Rockwell, and Crystal Skillman, each bringing unique experiences and backgrounds in playwrighting and education.
France-Luce Benson is a Haitian-American playwright and Assistant Professor at CSU San Marcos, whose works have been showcased at notable venues across New York and internationally.
Kira Rockwell, a teacher at Georgia State University, has developed her work with prestigious organizations, including The Kennedy Center.
Crystal Skillman, an acclaimed playwright and professor at The New School and Pace University, returns for her second year as a lead mentor, bringing her vast experience from productions that have garnered recognition worldwide.
Supporting the main mentors are three associate mentors pursuing their MFA in playwriting: Mo Holmes from Columbia, Ellie Melick from Carnegie Mellon, and M Kamara from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The selected playwrights hail from various institutions across the country, including Columbia College Chicago, Bennington College, Temple University, Augsburg University, and many more.
Throughout the festival, students will draft and workshop new short plays intended for the 5-Minute Play Festival.
Atlanta actors will assist in rehearsing these plays, preparing the young writers for the festival’s culmination event.
This aspect of the festival provides invaluable real-world experience as the students collaborate with professional artists.
The public reading and showcase of the works created during the intensive workshop will take place on June 7 at Horizon Theatre and is free for anyone interested in attending.
Community support has been essential for the festival’s success, with local businesses providing meals and other resources as in-kind support.
Among the restaurant partners contributing to this year’s event are Hudson Grille, Flying Biscuit, The Albert, Wrecking Bar Brewpub, and several others, highlighting the community’s commitment to the arts.
Horizon Theatre emphasizes that the festival not only nurtures the next generation of playwrights but also contributes to the rich cultural landscape of Atlanta.
Adler highlighted the overarching goal of the festival: “It’s an honor to give these gifted young people a chance to shine, and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come.
The future is bright with this next generation of talented playwrights.”
Despite unexpected setbacks, the New South Young Playwrights Festival continues to thrive, making a significant impact on emerging writers and the community as a whole.
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