Hudes, who earned a Tony nomination for the book to In the Heights, will pen a commissioned work for Hartford's 2009 fall slot. Hartford Stage will present a reading of her Pulitzer Prize-finalist play Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue as part of the 2008 Brand:NEW festival of new work, in addition to presenting a reading of her latest play 26 Miles, in the winter of 2009.

"Quiara Hudes is one of the most original and exciting theatrical artists creating today, setting audiences on fire with award-winning plays and musicals like In the Heights, Elliot, Yemaya's Belly, and The Adventures of Barrio Grrrl! She harnesses the full power of theatre to tell a good story, and deliver a message. I'm thrilled she chose Hartford Stage as her artistic home for the next year," said Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson in a statement.

Hartford has also revealed the line-up of works scheduled for the Brand:NEW festival of new work, which runs Nov. 6-10. As previously reported, former Aetna Fellow Daniel Beaty will premiere his commissioned piece The Story of Roland Hayes. Also on the bill are Christopher Shinn's Now or Later, Elizabeth Eggloff's The Ether Dome, Craig Wright's Mistakes Were Made and Hudes' Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue.

The centerpiece of Brand:NEW will be an evening of ten ten-minute plays penned by notable playwrights including New Voices Fellows Quiara Hudes and Daniel Beaty, as well as Edward Albee, Eduardo Machado, Theresa Rebeck, Horton Foote, Susan Lori-Parks, Michael Elyanow, Eve Ensler and Luis Alfaro. The fundraiser, entitled 10/10/10, will take place Nov. 10.

Casting and creative duties for Brand:NEW will be announced shortly. Festival passes for the Brand:NEW readings are $25 and may be purchased by calling (860) 527-5151. Tickets for 10/10/10 are $100 and are available by calling (860) 520-7241.

Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT. For more information visit www.hartfordstage.org.