LOS ANGELES -- The Mark Taper Forum, in association with A.S.K. Theatre Projects and Steven Spielberg, is producing the Taper's 13th annual festival of new play development through Dec. 16 at the Actors' Gang in Hollywood. Fifteen new works will be presented in open public rehearsals which are offered to the public free of charge. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Following a break for the Thanksgiving week, the festival will offer Border Ballad by Ruben Martinez on Thurs., Nov 30. Over the following ten days, the festival will mount plays by Philip Kan Gotanda, Diana Son, Kim Dunbar, John Rafter Lee, John Steppling, Louise Schwarz, John S. Walch, Hilly Hicks, Jr., Roger Arturo Durling, Robert Alexander, Robert Glaudini, Lynn Manning and Jessica Goldberg.

In a related announcement, the Taper announced that Wed. Nov. 22 has been designated a Pay What You Can performance for its mainstage production of Patrick Marber's Closer, which is running through Dec. 10. A limited number of Pay What You Can tickets will go on sale at noon on the day of the performance and must be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office on a cash-only basis. Tickets are subject to availability with a limit of two per person.

Mark Taper Forum is located at 135 N. Grand Ave. For tickets and information call (213) 628-2772. The deaf community should call TDD (213) 680-4017. Tickets are also available on-line at www.TaperAhmanson.com<