The new biennial effort is designed to support writers both nationally and in Arkansas. The program, funded by a $275,000 grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, includes a two-week playwrights' residency in August 2007 at The Rep, plus Legacy Awards, totaling $10,000, recognizing "an outstanding African-American and/or Latino playwright who has made a significant contribution to the national canon of theatrical literature."

Submissions must be received by The Rep by March 1. Selected playwrights for participation in the residency will be announced in early May.

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The two-week Voices at the River playwrights' residency, which includes play development and readings, mentoring, critiques and panel discussions, will be held in August at Arkansas Rep in Little Rock and will be open to playwrights across the country.

Participants will work alongside directors, actors and Rep staff to refine their specific projects for the stage. Voices at the River will also identify and encourage young, aspiring African-American and Latino playwrights in Arkansas, providing mentoring opportunities and financial support. Play readings and panel discussions will be open to the public.

Voices at the River is open to Latino- and African-American playwrights who wish to submit full-length plays and musicals in development. Limit of one submission per playwright. The works are limited to a maximum requirement of ten actors. Texts must be provided in English. Translations and adaptations are accepted (providing that rights have been secured).

Works submitted must not have been previously professionally produced or published. Previous readings are acceptable.

Playwright's name should appear only on the title page, not in the header or footer of the text pages of the play.

The playwright is encouraged to include a cover letter and biography, if desired, with the script and contact information.

Mail submissions to Leslie Golden, Associate Producer, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, PO Box 110, Little Rock, AR 72203-0110.

For more information, visit www.therep.org.

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The Voices at the River playwriting residency and festival are helmed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, producing artistic director for New York City's Rebel Theatre Company. Maharaj has directed several Rep productions and is the lead artist for the creation of The Legacy Project, a two-year artistic event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Central High School desegregation crisis.