PHILADELPHIA – Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, announced on May 17, 2011 that Philadelphia Young Playwrights has been recommended for a grant of $50,000 to support the 2012 Play Development Series. Philadelphia Young Playwrights is oneof 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency’s second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the Arts Endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.

An independent agency of the federal government, the National Endowment for the Arts advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “NEA research shows that three out of four Americans participate in the arts. The diverse, innovative, and exceptional projects funded in this round will ensure that Americans around the country continue to have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.”

“With this support, student playwrights will develop as writers and artists in partnership with Philadelphia’s finest professional and university theater companies, and more audience members than ever will experience their compelling voices,” says Philadelphia Young Playwrights Executive Producing Director Glen Knapp. “We are very proud that the artistry of our young playwrights has been recognized by the NEA.”

Philadelphia Young Playwrights’ Play Development Series pairs select winners of Young Playwrights’ Annual Playwriting Festival with professional directors and dramaturgs from the city’s thriving theatre community. Throughout the year, student playwrights work one-on-one with theater artists to further develop their plays and share their plays with the public through professional staged readings, workshop presentations and often acclaimed professional productions.

Student writers are at the center of Young Playwrights’ public presentations, participating in casting, rehearsals, marketing, press relations and talkbacks with audiences. Lyn Nguyen, a 12th grader at Upper Darby High School in Delaware County, participated in the 2010-11 Play Development Series program. “I saw my play come to life from beginning to end, and it was the most amazing rush ever!”says Lyn.

In the Play Development Series program, Lyn Nguyen worked closely with director David O’Conner to develop her play, On the Way, whichexamines the lives of a Vietnamese family after the Vietnam War, the unraveling of a father, and a tragic love story. Lyn’s play was first performed in November 2010 at Young Playwrights’ New Voices: Workshop Productions at Temple University. In May 2011, the play was again performed for guests at Write On! A Celebration of Student Voices, Young Playwrights’ annual benefit. Lyn is now a member of Young Playwrights’ Youth Council, which serves as an advisory to the Board of Directors. Lyn’s story is just one of many positive experiences in the Play Development Series.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEAhas awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.  To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

Founded in 1987 by Adele Magner, and led today by Executive Producing Director Glen Knapp, Philadelphia Young Playwrights is an award-winning program that taps the potential of youth and inspires learning through playwriting in more than 50 public and private K-12 schools each year. A leader in the region’s educational programs for youth and built upon its primary belief that all students have something important and valuable to say, Young Playwrights has enriched the Greater Philadelphia community, touching the lives of thousands of students, teachers and parents for the past twenty years. Since 1987, approximately 60 professional playwrights have led workshops, and nearly all of Philadelphia’s professional theater companies have participated by performing, producing, or directing student works. Nearly 60,000 students have seen peers’ work produced in class or by professionals. Young Playwrights’ Literary Committee includes more than 60 educators, writers, parents, and former Young Playwrights students who read and critique each student script.

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