The James Irvine Foundation has awarded East West Players a $200,000 multi-year challenge grant to establish a New Works Development Program. The goals of the program are to develop new Asian Pacific-American theatrical works, and thus better serve artists and audiences. Specific objectives of the program are to increase the current number of EWP playwrighting workshop productions, pursue more intensive relationships with selected playwrights, enhance EWP's literary department, and provide commissioning fees and residency stipends to artists.

The James Irvine Foundation's goal is to strengthen the arts in California by supporting leadership, creativity and innovation among artists and arts organizations of the highest quality.

"To advance artistically and to effectively serve our growing base of artists and audiences," said Tim Dang, East West Players' Producing Artistic Director, "we must develop more original works that represent the diverse voices of the Asian Pacific community."

The first phase of EWP's New Works Development Program includes the Y2K New Voices Playwriting Competition. Submissions are being sought for full-length plays, plays for young audiences, musicals and solo pieces (no translations or adaptations). These works should deal with predominately Asian Pacific casts and/or themes. Contact EWP literary manager Ken Narasaki at (213) 625-7000 ext. 27 for further information.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent