Playwriting fellowship: the djerassi fellowship
The Carl Djerassi Distinguished Fellowship in Playwriting at the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing was established by scientist and author Carl Djerassi to encourage playwrights whose work is not only performed, but also has intrinsic literary value. To realize Dr. Djerassi's vision, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Creative Writing Program and Department of Theatre and Drama have joined forces to invite playwrights to work and teach in a community where plays are read and discussed as works on the page as well as works on the stage.
The Carl Djerassi Distinguished Fellowship in Playwriting will provide a stipend of $45,000 for a playwright in residence at UW Madison during the spring semester (approximately January 15-May 25). The playwright will additionally receive health benefits and office space in the suite where the Creative Writing faculty and the other fellows of the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing are housed. Housing is not provided, however.
During the residency, the fellow will teach one course in playwriting with no more than twelve students. The fellow will also have ample time to work on his or her own writing and will have the benefit of being a member of the writing and theater communities provided by the Institute, the Creative Writing Program, and the Department of Theatre and Drama.
The ideal candidate will be a playwright whose work has been produced at major regional or professional theaters, who has university-level teaching experience, and who will make Madison his or her primary residence during the fellowship semester. Playwrights who have had work published as well as performed are of special interest.
To be considered for the Djerassi Distinguished Fellowship in Playwriting please submit a letter of application, a course description or syllabus for a playwriting workshop, a vita or resume not to exceed 4 pages, the names and contact information for three recommenders (ideally, at least one of whom should be able to speak about your teaching), and a writing sample consisting of either one published play OR one manuscript of a play in progress. Please do not send any additional material. If you would like your material returned to you, you must include an SASE.
Send all materials to:
Djerassi Distinguished Fellowship in Playwriting
attn: Lori Studnicka
Department of English
University of Wisconsin-Madison
7187 Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park Street
For consideration for the spring 2009 residency, materials must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2008.
The Djerassi Distinguished Fellow in Playwriting will be notified of his/her selection by May 1. The name of the new fellow will appear here.
Contact Information
Please note that the information within the Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing DO NOT apply to this fellowship. If you have any questions about the fellowship, please contact the Institute's director, Professor Jesse Lee Kercheval.