NYTW Fellowships

web site

2050 FELLOWSHIPS

For 20 years, NYTW has honed an inclusive fellowship program for emerging theatre makers with a multiplicity of perspectives. These fellowships have taken many forms, supporting playwrights, directors, designers and administrators.

In its current iteration, the 2050 Fellowship is a yearlong residency for emerging playwrights and directors. The 2050 Fellowship provides a space for experimentation, artistic and administrative support, and mentorship. The 2050 Fellows are emerging artists who, with their unique voices, give us perspective on the world in which we live; and who challenge us all to contend with this changing world.

What is a 2050 Fellow?

The 2050 Fellowship is named in celebration of the U.S. Census Bureau’s projection that by the year 2050, there will be no single racial or ethnic majority in the United States.

This projection provokes thoughts at New York Theatre Workshop about the transformations that will take place in the American landscape – technologically, environmentally, demographically and artistically. They are a catalyst for broader questions about our moral and artistic future.


How do we define diversity? Whose stories aren’t being told? What lies ahead for our world?

In response to these questions, NYTW’s longstanding Fellowship program continually to evolve to support the diversity of voices and aesthetics that will make up this new minority majority.


The 2050 Fellows are emerging artists who, with their unique voices, give us perspective on the world in which we live; and who challenge us all to contend with this changing world.

With the 2050 Fellowship, NYTW is re-affirming our responsibility to nurture artists who reflect this multiplicity of perspectives, challenge the dominant paradigm, and give voice to those whose experiences are not often heard.

The following materials must be submitted by 5PM on Monday, October 19th. Incomplete or improperly formatted applications will not be accepted. Review the following requirements carefully.
A completed online form, available here, that includes the following:

-Contact/Personal information

-Names and contact information for two references (Recommendation letters are NOT required at this stage; however, they will be requested if you are invited to submit a full application.)
In a Single PDF to be uploaded into the form with your name as the subject:

-An artist statement that, in a total of 750 words or less, responds to the following questions:

What kind of work are you interested in making? Why?

What about a fellowship at New York Theatre Workshop specifically appeals to you as an artist?

-A resume listing credits and accomplishments


NYTW will accept up to six 2050 Fellows per season. These fellowships will entail a one year commitment from June to June. Playwrights and directors are eligible to apply.

NYTW’s 2050 Fellowships consists of five basic components:
Monthly fellowship meetings where fellows meet with each other and artists from the NYTW community to discuss craft, aesthetics, and artistic development
Access to rehearsal space and two opportunities to share works-in-progress with the NYTW Artistic staff and entire fellowship cohort
Mentorship from the NYTW Artistic staff and contemporary theatre artists
An invitation to participate in the artistic life of the theatre by attending staff meetings, developmental readings, dress rehearsals, and other NYTW functions
A three-day weekend retreat at the start and end of the fellowship

2050 Fellows are awarded a modest stipend and an artistic development fund to support fellowship projects, see work, research and travel.