“It is with great joy and humility I accept the position of President of the Board and I am deeply honored to be of service to this wonderful organization,” said Lippa, whose The Wild Party musical is being produced as part of the New York City Center Encores! Off-Center series July 15-18. He succeeds lyricist Gretchen Cryer (I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road), who has served as DGF’s President since 2005. She will remain on the Board as President Emeritus.

The mission of the Dramatists Guild Fund is to aid and nurture writers for the theatre; to fund non-profit theatres producing contemporary American works; and to heighten awareness, appreciation, and support of theater across the country. Each year, DGF awards grants to non-profit theatrical organizations that produce works by American writers, provides emergency aid to writers facing illness or other unforeseen circumstances, and supports numerous educational programs and writing development opportunities for dramatists.

Under Cryer’s leadership, DGF transitioned from a private foundation to a 501(c)(3) and developed new programs to better serve the modern dramatist, including a national outreach program of master classes for colleges and universities as well as a documentary series for artists learning the craft and business of writing for the theatre.