Since 2005, PlayPenn has helped to develop over 140 new plays. Nearly 60% of these plays have gone on to more than 350 professional productions in Philadelphia and across the globe.

PlayPenn’s Annual Conference takes place over a two-and-a-half-week period each July at The Drake Theatre in Philadelphia, PA. The Conference includes workshops and readings of new plays, forums for artists, seminars, and classes, all centered around fostering artists by providing as many resources possible.

This year, 123 plays from Philadelphia playwrights were read by 80 readers. After three rounds of review, the following six dramatists have been selected for the 2022 Conference: 

Santiago Tonauac Castro, Gente Del Sol
Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters, Whispers of My Sister
Nimisha Ladva, Goddess at the Lucky Lady Motel
Brie Knight, The Pigeon
Ken Kaissar, Fat Muslim Girls
Ian August, All the Emilies in All the Universes

Also included in Playpenn’s announcement are the following honorable mentions:

Jahna Ferron-Smith, Step Mom, Step Mom, Step Mom.
Lisa Konoplisky, Redemption Game
Emma Gibson, if nobody does remarkable things
James Christy, Dissent

Lastly, Playpenn has announced four Foundry Graduate Readings for the 2022 Conference:

Carl(os) Roa, Pase Lo Que Pase(I Will Always Find You)
Geo Decas O’Donnell, Moss and Kay’s Fabulous Adventure
Julie Zaffarano, Above the Fold
Kevin Esmond, Vintage Illustrations of the Devil