Over the past two decades, New York's Ensemble Studio Theatre has fostered the creation of more than 5,000 new plays. Twelve more are on view at E.S.T.'s annual festival of one-acts, "Marathon `99," which runs, in three series, May 5-June 14.

Among the noted writers contributing new works to this 22nd annual event are Frank D. Gilroy, Romulus Linney, Leslie Ayvazian, Susan Kim, Edward Allan Baker, Bill Bozzone, Christine Farrell, Cassandra Medley, Jaime Richards & Kevin Harris, Stuart Spencer, Cherie Vogelstein and Michael Louis Wells.

Here's the rundown for Series A, B and C at E.S.T.:

Series A (May 5-16)
Deaf Day by Leslie Ayvazian
Goodbye Oscar by Romulus Linney
Maiden Lane by Cassandra Medley
All About Al by Cherie Vogelstein

Series B (May 19 - 30)
The Golf Ball by Frank D. Gilroy
Dreamtime for Alice by Susan Kim
In the Western Garden by Stuart Spencer
The 'I' Word: Interns by Michael Louis Wells Series C (June 2-June 13)
Up, Down, Strange Charmed Beauty and Truth by Edward Allan Baker
War by Bill Bozzone
The Once Attractive Woman by Christine Farrell
Roman Fever by Jaime Richards & Kevin Harris

For tickets ($15 per series, $35 for all three evenings) and information on Marathon `99 at Ensemble Studio Theatre call (212) 247 4982. Casting is usually announced at the last minute, so expect actors and directors to be added in the weeks to come.

-- By Sean McGrath