The four-day event, running July 22-25, marks the culmination of the 2009 National Playwrights Conference, which features new works by Julia Cho, Lauren Gunderson, Nilo Cruz, Gregory Moss, Josh Tobiessen, Emily Schwend and Abbie Spallen throughout the month of July.

Students will have the opportunity to attend readings of new plays in development and attend a panel discussion that includes Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive, A Civil War Christmas, The Mineola Twins), Elizabeth Frankel (Public Theater literary associate), Marc Masterson (Actors Theatre of Louisville artistic director), Edward Sobel (Steppenwolf Theatre Company's director of new play development) and Jack Tantleff (Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency).

Conference artistic director Wendy C. Goldberg will host the panel that will focus on opportunities for graduating writers, the function of literary offices and the inner workings of new play development and production.

"Since the beginning of my own professional career, it has been imperative to me to aid in the mentoring and development of emerging artists. At a relatively young age, I knew I could help provide access and resources to the next generation of artists due to my own leadership positions. This commitment can be seen in the inclusion of a student writer in the National Playwrights Conference every season of my tenure as well as hosting students from across the country to participate in all level of the conference structure. This convening builds on a history of dedication to the next generation, while deepening the conversation for these writers who are moving into the world of professional theater. We thank the Mellon Foundation for aiding in this effort. I believe this unique experience will prove extremely valuable," Goldberg said in a statement.

Interested parties should contact John Baker at [email protected] by July 1. For further information visit www.theoneill.org. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and is based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.