Playwright in Residence

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

American Legacy Theatre is seeking our next Playwright in Residence for our Playwrights for Change (P4C) program.

P4C is ALT’s two-year residency program for playwrights ready to turn bold ideas into fully realized productions. We pair artists with the time, mentorship, and resources to develop their work from first idea to opening night — with the community driving the process every step of the way.

From shaping the themes that matter most, to offering feedback through public readings and talkbacks, to championing full productions, the community is not just “along for the journey” — they are at the center of it.

Since its launch, P4C has supported artists whose work has gone on to shape both local stages and national conversations. Learn more about our current residents and their works here.

• Application Deadline for First Consideration: March 2, 2026.

• Applications accepted after this date until the Playwright in Residence is selected.

• Late applicants may be considered for future residency opportunities.

• The selected Playwright in Residence will begin work under contract on July 1, 2026.

The Playwright in Residence will:

• Meet virtually with the Executive Artistic Director & CEO 2–4 times per month

• Write an original play or musical over approximately 10 months (July 2026 – April/May 2027)

Workshop Performances

The residency includes four public-facing workshop performances in Cincinnati:

• An excerpt performed twice in November 2026

• The full piece performed twice in April/May 2027

The Playwright in Residence must be present for these performances and participate in post-show talkbacks.

Path to Production

If community feedback indicates strong support for further development, the Playwright in Residence may be invited to continue working with ALT toward a world premiere production in Spring 2028. (To date, all workshopped pieces have moved forward to full production.)

$500 per month for the first 12 months of the residency.

Applying for the Playwright in Residence position is a two-step process. Please be sure to complete both steps for your application to be considered complete.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form

Fill out the Playwright in Residence Application Form (Google Form)

We strongly recommend downloading the application questions first and drafting your responses offline before submitting the form.

Step 2: Email Your Required Materials

Email the following materials to info@americanlegacytheatre.org with the subject line: “Playwright in Residence – (Last Name)”

Please include:

• Resume (required)

• Writing sample (required)

  • Excerpts from two scripts preferred

  • If only one script is available, a second sample from another genre is acceptable

  • Writing samples do not need to match your proposed project theme

• Optional additional materials (video links, music samples, etc.)

Important: Your full submission, including attachments, must not exceed 20 pages total.