New to the Neighborhood 2026: Brooklyn Playwright Residency
Early-career Brooklyn-based playwrights (especially female, trans, non-binary writers of color) submit a 10-page script sample or 5-page outline plus 5-page play sample for a two-month residency with stipend, production funding, mentorship, and public presentation.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 10 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $3,500
- Location
- Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Exhibition window
- Nov 30, 2026 → Dec 5, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Oct 19, 2026
About
Overview
What Will the Neighbors Say? (WWTNS?), a Brooklyn-based theatre company, has launched the second cycle of its "New to the Neighborhood" residency program as an incubator for early-career playwrights. Two selected resident writers will receive direct stipends, production funding, dedicated rehearsal space, mentorship, and a public work-in-progress presentation.
Who May Apply
- Female, trans, or non-binary early-career writers
- Global Majority, BIPOC, Indigenous, or AAPI communities
- Must currently reside in Brooklyn, NY (valid 112xx ZIP code on lease, license, or utility bill)
- US citizens or valid US work authorization
- Early-career creators without major industry breakthrough recognition
- Writing teams eligible (single joint application); devising ensembles or large troupes not eligible
- Members of artistic unions (e.g., Dramatists Guild) eligible without restriction
Program Benefits
- Unrestricted Artist Stipend: $1,500 USD
- Creative Team Collaborator Fund: $1,750 USD (to hire directors, actors, stage managers, or creative collaborators)
- Production Materials Fund: $250 USD (printing, scripts, supplies)
- 29 hours of dedicated rehearsal space in Brooklyn
- Direct artistic mentorship from WWTNS? leadership
- Public work-in-progress presentation on December 5, 2026
Application Requirements
- Application strictly limited to first 50 qualifying applications received
- No application fee (100% free)
- Round One: Submit either (Option 1) a 10-page script sample from your proposed project OR (Option 2) a 5-page outline plus 5-page sample from a completed play
- Round Two (if shortlisted): Full-length script (60+ pages/minutes) followed by Zoom interview
- Submit electronically via WWTNS? New to the Neighborhood Airtable intake portal
Key Dates
- Round One Applications Opened: August 3, 2026
- Round One Closing Deadline: September 7, 2026, 12:00 PM EST (or when 50 qualifying entries received)
- Round Two Notifications: October 5, 2026
- Full Scripts Due (Shortlist): October 7, 2026
- Round Two Interviews: Week of October 12, 2026
- Final Residents Announced: October 19, 2026
- Pre-Production Phase Begins: By November 1, 2026
- Residency & Rehearsal Window: November 30 – December 4, 2026
- Public Presentation: December 5, 2026
Location
Initial reviews and interviews take place online. The physical rehearsal block, pre-production, and work-in-progress presentation take place live in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Project Focus
The program focuses on Playwriting, Contemporary Theatre, and Source-Based Scriptwriting, incorporating primary research, archives, interview transcripts, or document analysis.
Contact
For specific application inquiries or accessibility needs, contact [email protected].
- Award
- $1,500 unrestricted stipend, $1,750 creative team collaborator fund, $250 production materials fund, 29 hours rehearsal space, mentorship, and public work-in-progress presentation
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- Source-grounded theatrical projects incorporating primary research, archives, interview transcripts, or document analysis; designed to address systemic underrepresentation of female, trans, and non-binary writers of color in American theatre.
- Eligibility
- Female, trans, or non-binary early-career writers of Global Majority, BIPOC, Indigenous, or AAPI communities; must currently reside in Brooklyn, NY with valid work authorization (US citizen or work visa); members of artistic unions eligible.
- Audience
- Early-career female, trans, and non-binary playwrights of Global Majority, BIPOC, Indigenous, or AAPI communities residing in Brooklyn
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.