Charlie Schulman and Diana Amsterdam, the founders and co-artistic directors of the company, are also instructors at the "Writer's Voice." Their intention in forming the troupe is to develop and produce new plays that emphasize the role of craft in playwriting.

"Craft is the lost art of playwriting today," said Amsterdam in a prepared statement, "which is why theatre audiences are dwindling.  Charlie and I are playwrights and teachers of playwriting so we bring a 'craft' perspective to this venture."

The Y's 150-seat proscenium theatre will be called the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in recognition of a $1.7 million grant that, beginning in April 2006, will fund a redo of the space.

Among the upcoming plans for the company are a Nov. 10-13 workshop of The Prophet of Borough Park, a new play by Marshall Tarley, directed by Laramie Dennis; and Dec. 9-11 concert performances of Charlie Schulman and Michael Roberts' musical The Fartiste, directed by John Gould Rubin.

Other readings include: Gerda and the King by Paolo Tartamella on Nov. 20 at 5 PM; Bits & Pieces: Monologues for Actors by Diana Amsterdam on Dec. 16 at 7 PM; and Molly’s Delicious by Craig Wright on Dec. 20 at 7 PM.