For nine seasons the Sundance Institute and the Ucross Foundation have collaborated on the program, which welcomes five playwrights and one composer for an annual three-week writing intensive. The 2008 residency will run Feb. 4-22.

Among the selected 2008 resident artists are Broadway actor Billy Porter, who most recently conceived the Sondheim-themed production Being Alive for Westport Country Playhouse; lyricist Mark Campbell (Songs from an Unmade Bed, Three Lost Chords); composer Joe Thalken (Tales of Music & Magic); director and playwright Bob Glaudini (The Poison Tree); playwright Annie Baker (Body Awareness); and playwright Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear).

"The artists selected for the Ucross/Sundance Theatre collaboration reflect Sundance's commitment to supporting emerging theatre artists and the creative growth of established artists," stated Sundance Theatre Institute producing artistic director Philip Himberg. "This residency offers playwrights and composers an environment to explore their creativity and encourages them to develop diverse and exciting new work for the stage without the constraints of a marketplace."

Participants are provided with transportation, lodging and meals as well as writing studios in which to work, under the guidance of Sundance dramaturg Elissa Adams.

Located on a 22,000-acre working cattle ranch at the westernmost edge of the Great Plains, the Ucross Foundation was founded in 1981 and has awarded Fellowships to over 1,000 writers and artist in all disciplines from around the world. The Sundance Theatre Program is a program of the Sundance Institute. Through its developmental activities, the Program "identifies and assists emerging theatre artists, contributes to the creative growth of established artists, and encourages and supports the development of new work for the stage."