News: Advocacy

On April 26, 1926, the Dramatists Guild achieved a groundbreaking victory with the negotiation of the Minimum Basic Agreement: the contract that set the industry precedent that allowed for authorial ownership of copyright, no changes in text without permission, the right to be present, and so much more.At the Dramatists Guild Awards on Monday, April 27, 2026, we were humbled to celebrate the centennial of this achievement with a Proclamation from Mayor Zohran Mamdani enshrining the...

We have been made aware of an entity currently open for submissions—the Bold Sunrise Theatre. Please be aware that there are concerns about the lack of visibility as it relates to who might be running this organization or otherwise associated with it, the company's actual location, and the submission fee. We advise our members to take caution when submitting here and to read the submission guidelines for all opportunities closely.   Please remember before submitting your work to...

The Dramatists Guild of America is outraged by the Kennedy Center’s announced cancellation of its scheduled production of the show Finn by Dramatists Guild members Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, and their co-author, Chris Nee. We find it appalling that the Center is backing out of their commitment to bring this joyful children’s musical, one that they commissioned and produced to much acclaim, to communities across the country. At its heart, Finn has a universal...

Feeling overwhelmed by the options for structuring your theatre writing business? You're not alone. Join us for an insightful webinar where we'll break down the basics of business entity types and help you determine which one is right for you now, and what to consider as you reassess your choice in the future. Join us to demystify the process and make an informed decision about your theatre writing business's future.In this webinar, we’ll cover:...

Join our Business Affairs Staff for an enlightening discussion on Artificial Intelligence and its implications for theatrical writers. This event will explore how new innovations can influence the creative process, copyright issues, and the future of theatre writing. Theatre writers are increasingly concerned about AI's potential to scrape online scripts without permission, create AI-generated plays, and replace human dramatists. Legal and ethical...

Join us at our Theatre Writer Advocacy Session at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 27, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, featuring our new Philadelphia Affinity Regional Rep, Will Vence Jr, and our new Philadelphia Regional Rep, Charles Primerano.  The Dramatists Guild is thrilled to continue our national advocacy tour, bringing empowering Advocacy Nights to theatre writers across the...

Join us at The Understudy Bookstore in Chicago on Tuesday, June 18, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm CDT, for a special event featuring playwright Samuel D. Hunter and Dramatists Guild Co-Executive Director Emmanuel Wilson. The Dramatists Guild is thrilled to continue our national advocacy tour, bringing empowering Advocacy Nights to theatre writers across the country. After successful events in Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, we're excited to visit the vibrant...

The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund (the “DLDF”) announced emergency support for the upcoming presentation of Danielle Wirsansky’s new musical, The Secrets We Keep. Written by Danielle Wirsansky, a PhD candidate at Florida State University, and Frank Sanchez, The Secrets We Keep had rented space for a four-performance presentation at...

The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund (DLDF) proudly bestowed The 2024 Defender Award upon Philip, Amy, and Max Hightower of Sherman, Texas, at the Dramatists Guild Awards Night held at Sony Hall in New York City. The DLDF is privileged to honor the Hightower Family with this prestigious award. Their unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality has left an indelible mark on the...

The Dramatists Guild of America announced today the recipients of its annual awards, which will be presented at the Guild’s annual Awards Night held on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Sony Hall (235 W. 46th St., New York, NY 10036). The evening will begin with a cocktail hour from 6:30-8pm, with the awards ceremony to follow. Awards Night is presented by Final Draft. ...

The letter, dated March 28, 2024, addressed to Dr. Jonathan Ponds, Superintendent of Montclair School District, expresses deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent shutdown of a play at Montclair High School in New Jersey. The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund highlights the lack of a proper response from school authorities, particularly Principal Jeffrey Freeman and the Montclair School District, regarding the infringement of First Amendment rights. The shutdown...

Get ready to embark on a fearless creative journey with End of Play.® starting April 1, 2024! Presented by the Dramatists Guild, this annual event celebrates the art and craft of writing for the theatre.What is End of Play.®? End of Play.® is a month-long initiative designed to ignite the creation and completion of new stage works within just 30 days. It's not a race to the finish; it's a courageous journey undertaken by writers unafraid to immerse themselves fully in...