PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
VIVIENNE BENESCH
Dear Friends, Since I arrived at PlayMakers in 2016, support of new plays has become one of the central features of each of our seasons. Not only have we produced exciting new work from local and national talent in our PRC2 series, but each of our mainstage seasons has proudly featured a premiere production. Since 2016, we have produced 10 new plays across both our stages, including a major commission. This reflects not only our commitment to the future of theater, but our core value of telling stories from a multiplicity of perspectives. I am thrilled to add Sara Jean Accuardi’s shimmering new play, The Storyteller, to that roster. Last year we were privileged to partner with The Thomas Wolfe Society and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville, NC to administer the International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition, honoring the rich legacy of one of North Carolina’s most famous writers. After reading over two hundred submissions that impressed us with their passion and connected us to stories from around the world, The Storyteller emerged as a clear winner. Not only is the play a very personal family drama, full of recognizable but specific detail, but it also places the human need to tell stories at its center. In a time when we find ourselves isolated in so many ways, it feels as important as ever to invest in the power of storytelling, and the power of coming together to hear those stories. Which is why I’m also thrilled to announce the launch of The PlayMakers New Commissions Fund. This exciting program, established by a generous anonymous gift, will allow us to engage extraordinary contemporary playwrights as they develop new works specifically for our theatre. We’ll soon announce the first two commission projects to be developed over the next four years. I know this program will deeply impact our company, university and community while continuing to position PlayMakers as an artistic hub for innovation and new work. As for right now, I hope this tender-hearted new work in this intimate (virtual) setting will offer you all the chance to listen in new ways, reflect and imagine a future in which we can all gather in person to hear stories again. Warmly, Vivienne
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