The "Time Warner Commissioning Program at Second Stage Theatre" will allow for new works "from a diverse range of artists over the next 2 to 5 years." The program will offer 10 commissions to playwrights.

"Developing new plays by American writers is a cornerstone of the Second Stage Theatre mission and this program will allow us to work with both emerging and established playwrights in creating important new works for the American theatre," Second Stage artistic director Carole Rothman said in a release. "Time Warner understands that creating new plays is an ongoing process and through this partnership they are helping to support playwrights in each step of a play’s creation – not only in commissioning, but by developing the play through readings and workshops, and finally, in presenting a fully realized world premiere production."

Among Second Stage Theatre's history are works commissioned by the company including Lynn Nottage's Crumbs From the Table of Joy, Lynda Barry's The Good Times Are Killing Me, Wendy Kesselman's The Notebook, Michael John LaChiusa's Little Fish and last season's Privilege by Paul Weitz.

Rothman along with associate artistic director Chris Burney, and literary manager Elizabeth Bennett will select the first group of playwrights to receive Time Warner Commissions, to be announced in January 2006.

Second Stage Theatre just ended its extended run of Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play and will continue its season with the world premiere of Douglas Carter Beane's The Little Dog Laughed directed by Scott Ellis, the world premiere of Show People by Paul Weitz (Privilege, Roulette) and the New York premiere of Theresa Rebeck's The Water’s Edge starring Kate Burton and Tony Goldwyn under the direction of Will Frears. They also present last season's hit transfer The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway. Second Stage is located 307 West 43rd Street (just off Eighth Ave.). For more information, visit www.SecondStageTheatre.com.