Under the leadership of founder Arielle Tepper Madover, the annual festival of new plays will utilize the Public Theater as the staging ground for the 2008 SPF productions, creating a partnership with the New York institution known for developing new works and establishing the names of many theatre artists.

"The Summer Play Festival is a wonderful and inspiring institution," Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis commented. "It shares our core values and in a short five years has become an integral part of the New York theater scene. Arielle is an inspired, generous, spirited and endlessly enthusiastic producer, and we are delighted to form this partnership. Together we can do even more to support new writers for the theatre."

The Summer Play Festival, which operates under the umbrella of Living Room for Artists, is also actively seeking collaborations with other non-profit theatre establishments in order to provide creative platforms for writers, directors, producers and designers from around the country.

SPF founder Arielle Tepper Madover, also the Tony-winning Broadway producer of Frost/Nixon, Monty Python's Spamalot and The Pillowman, stated, "This is an extraordinary and exciting development for the festival. The history and reputation of The Public, not to mention the dynamic presence and leadership of Oskar Eustis, make this a perfect new home for us. I cannot imagine a more supportive environment to allow new theatre talent to present their fully staged work for the first time."

Throughout its previous four seasons, the Summer Play Festival has provided emerging writers, directors, designers and producers an opportunity to work on their material and their craft in a protected environment, guided by established professionals at no cost.