2009 HUMANA FESTIVAL

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Actors Theatre of Louisville have invited me to participate in a National Forum on the development and production of new plays in conjunction with the 33rd ANNUAL HUMANA FESTIVAL OF NEW AMERICAN PLAYS. April 3-5. The purpose of this forum is to present and discuss the results of a recent national study on new play development conducted by the THEATER DEVELOPMENT FUND, as well as a field survey of the infrastructure for new works and new voices in 14 cities in the US, conducted by David Dower with funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Today and Tomorrow:
New Play Development Before and After Opening Night

The Forum, hosted by Actors Theatre and the Mellon Foundation, will be facilitated by former NEA and TCG executive Gigi Bolt and documented for the Foundation’s purposes by noted researcher and practioner Ben Pesner. The Forum is focused on convening a broad cross-section of decision makers working in different aspects of new play development.

This is a great opportunity for CATF to participate and contribute to this very important conversation. I am looking forward to joining my colleagues from around the professional theater industry. I am especially looking forward to attending THE HUMANA FESTIVAL. I always enjoy going to HUMANA.

THE HUMANA FESTIVAL is an internationally acclaimed event that has introduced more than 390 plays into the American and international theatre’s general repertoire, including three Pulitzer Prize winners—THE GIN GAME by D.L. Coburn, CRIMES OF THE HEART by Beth Henley and DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies.

HUMANA is a great theatrical event. I will see EIGHT new plays in just three days. It is truly an awesome experience. I will tell you all about this year’s plays when I return to Shepherdstown.

—Ed Herendeen