The Ignite Project is an 8 week lab for artists to create brand new plays written for or inspired by our company.
The Ignite Project is reigniting a core tenet of EST/LA and its membership – to develop original, bold, risk-taking theatre inspired by our company. Co-created by Makeda Declet, Jennie Webb and David Johann Kim, this project is open to all members of EST/LA, current and former members of New West Playwrights and the Playwrights Unit, as well as invited, recommended non-member artists.
Meet the Playwrights:
PLEASE CHECK BACK IN JANUARY 2025
FOR COHORT #7 DATES & APPLICATION INFORMATION
To apply during the application period, interested writers should send:
● 1 page (500 words max) about the new play (of any length or style) you want to begin working on, including:
-- A description of your idea: the story, themes and how it came to you.
-- How your idea relates to any aspect of EST/LA
(theatre space, company artists, history, energy, surrounding community, etc.).
-- Your individual goals (e.g., to start a first draft of a full-length, complete a one-act, to explore characters
or story, etc.) and your needs as a writer.
● A 5-10 page sample of your writing. (This can be from a play or any work that gives us a
sense of your voice as a writer.)
● A short bio (300 words) or resume.
● If you are not an EST/LA Company member or affiliated with one of our writing programs, please let us know who recommended you for the Ignite Project.
NOTE: Your pitch must be about a brand-new play only! We are not looking for plays that you have already begun writing or are editing. This opportunity is for starting new work in a group setting.
You do not need to have written a play in order to apply. We want to be intentional in building a group with a variety of different experiences and to include underrepresented voices.
The 6th Ignite Project Cohort will meet Monday evenings September 9 – November 4 (a combination of meetings in the theater and Zoom sessions). Facilitators are Makeda Declet, Jennie Webb and David Johann Kim.
After an initial session, writers will meet weekly for 8 weeks. Writers will attend every session, but bring in pages every other session.
In late November/early December, we plan to hold our 6th First Flame presentation, a community-building culmination event, sharing the work created during the project and involving as many EST/LA company members as possible.
Submit application materials and questions to: theigniteproject@estlosangeles.org. The deadline to send application materials is Saturday, August 10th at 11:59pm.