The Ignite Project is an 8 week lab for artists to create brand new plays inspired by the mission and artistic work of 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.
Cohort #9 Begins Wednesday, March 24th, 2027
Submission Window Wednesday, January 27th - Sunday, February 21st
Applications will be accepted via a Google Form. Interested writers should prepare:
● A statement (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 idea must be for a brand-new play! 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 9th Ignite Project Cohort will meet Wednesday evenings March 24 – May 19 (a combination of meetings in the theater and Zoom sessions). After an initial session, writers will meet weekly for 8 weeks. Writers will attend every session, but bring in pages every other session.
NOTE: Before applying, please check your schedules. If you think you may miss one of the sessions, please inform us in your application. If you think you may miss more than one session, please apply for our next Cohort. While we realize that professional and personal conflicts do come up, we want to ensure that writers make participation in each session a priority.
In early June, we plan to hold our 9th 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.
Any questions, contact theigniteproject@estlosangeles.org.
A LINK WILL BE PROVIDED HERE once the window opens January 27th, 2027.
The deadline for applications will be Sunday, February 21 at 11:59pm.