EWG, which targets playwrights at the early stages of their career, is part of the Public Writers Initiative, a long-term program that supports and develops works by writers throughout their careers.
The 2014-2015 playwrights include Kevin Artigue, Damon Chua, Keli Goff, Ricardo Pérez González, Glenn Gordon, Elizabeth Irwin, Paola Lázaro-Muñoz, Patricia Ione Lloyd, Jiehae Park and Sarah Sander.
The playwrights receive a stipend and participate in biweekly writers group sessions with the Public's literary department and master classes with established playwrights. Participants also have the chance to observe rehearsals for productions at the Public and receive artistic and professional support from the literary department and Public artistic staff.
The Public annually showcases the work of the Emerging Writers Group in its "Spotlight Series" presentations. The program is supported by Time Warner.
"Once again, we are delighted to welcome an extraordinary constellation of writers to The Public for our fifth class of the Emerging Writers Group. The writers are tackling the big issues of our time with great intelligence and humanity," said Public Theater associate artistic director Mandy Hackett in a statement. "It is a dynamic and diverse group and we look forward to launching the next round of EWG together. This program is only possible because of the Time Warner Foundation’s deep commitment to providing opportunity to the next generation of playwrights. We are forever grateful to the Time Warner Foundation for their inspired leadership, support, and partnership in creating and sustaining this program." Visit PublicTheater.