Young Dramatists: A Guide to Help Aspiring Writers Become Professional Artists
No. 1
Vol. 1
2023 Edition

The first of its kind, Young Dramatists 2023 Edition serves as a primer on the business of writing for the theatre. It is the first and only magazine of its kind, geared towards informing and empowering young theatre writers. No matter your age, you're never too young to view yourself as a professional playwright, composer, lyricist, or librettist.

In this special issue, Co-Executive Director Emmanuel Wilson offers readers insight into what it means to become a professional playwright, composer, lyricist, or librettist; a trio of young dramatists has the chance to pick the brains of Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Stephen Schwartz; and ten of our members explain the significance of the Dramatist’s Bill of Rights. Also sprinkled throughout this edition are letters of encouragement from dramatists across the country.

THE DRAMATIST the official journal of the Dramatists Guild of America, the professional organization of playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists. It is made possible by funding from the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America, a generous gift from the JOHN LOGAN FOUNDATION through a grant from the Dramatists Guild Foundation, and contributions from Guild members LIKE YOU.

The Young Dramatists Issue 1

Guest Editor

Emmanuel Wilson
Emmanuel Wilson

an arts advocate, playwright, director, and executive producer, joined the staff of the Dramatists Guild in 2017 and served as Co-Executive Director until September 2024. He serves on the boards of Arts Workers United, The 24-Hour Plays, and PlayPenn. He is the proud parent of Faith and Imani Wilson (My babies!!!). #PayWriters

Cover Illustration and Artwork

Bekka Lindström
Bekka Lindström

is based in New York City. Her first published work was winning a poster competition for Seventeen magazine in 1972. She has gone on to design work for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Bruce Weber, Crain’s New York Business and Project Renewal (a nonprofit working on homelessness in NYC). Bekka is currently the art director for The Dramatist.

Spalding University - Playwrights Thrive Here - Spalding.edu/MFA

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