News, Theater, Women Directors, Women Writers

D.C.’s Signature Theatre and Broadway Producer Launch Writers Initiative to Support Female…

The Signature Theatre: sigtheatre.org

D.C.’s Signature Theatre and Broadway Producer Launch Writers Initiative to Support Female Playwrights

Broadway producer Jenna Segal is teaming up with the Washington D.C. Signature Theatre to sponsor a female playwright, Broadway World reports.

Segal heads Segal NYC/Gatherer Entertainment, which “develops and produces theater, digital content, television, and film with a focus on female audiences.”

In a continued effort to highlight women writers, The Jenna and Paul Segal Foundation will provide a grant to sponsor a world premiere of a play by a female playwright with a female director for the next five years through SigWorks: The Heidi Thomas Writer’s Initiative.

“I’m thrilled Jenna shares our commitment to supporting the finest female artists working in theater today,” said Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. “Washington brought a national focus to the work of women playwrights with the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival and it’s our job to not only continue it but expand it.”

“We are so proud to partner with Signature Theatre and sponsor a world premiere by a woman each year along with a female director,” added Jenna Segal. “These full productions are essential for women to hone their craft. We hope the writers will draw inspiration from Heidi Thomas, whose writing across all media reminds us of the fundamental impact women’s works bring to the world.”

Heidi Thomas, for whom the Writer’s Initiative is named, is a British playwright and the creator and executive producer of “Call the Midwife.” She adapted the recent Broadway revival of “Gigi,” and has multiple acknowledgements and awards from BAFTA, the Emmys, The Writers Guild Of Great Britain, Women In Film And Television UK, and the Royal Television Society.

“Female writers have so much to say, and all too often their voices are not heard,” said Thomas. “However, at Signature, Eric, and Jenna have created a new and exciting platform for work entirely by women, where talent will not just be showcased, but also nurtured. I am proud beyond measure to be linked to this initiative, and support it with my whole heart.”

With so few female playwrights with work being produced, it’s wonderful news that this new grant will support not only a female writer but a director as well.


In Her Voice Podcast Episodes from This Week- May 12

Please check out the latest podcast episodes of In Her Voice Weekly News Brief on May 10- includes latest Writers Strike info Interview with Laurel Parmet- writer/director of The Starling Girl which...

Apply Now: Women and Hollywood Internship

Women and Hollywood is looking for an intern for the second half of 2018. The position will begin on July 1, 2018 and end on December 23, 2018. Applicants must be willing to commit to six months for...

Weekly Update for May 4: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

Films About Women Opening This Week   Angels Wear White — Written and Directed by Vivian Qu (Opens in NY; Opens in LA May 18) In a small seaside town, two schoolgirls are assaulted by a...

Posts Search

Publishing Dates
Start date
- select start date -
End date
- select end date -
Category
News
Films
Interviews
Features
Trailers
Festivals
Television
RESET