The Vagrancy Writers’ Group is a cohort tasked with the goal of developing full-length plays for production based on a given theme. The Vagrancy annually selects a core group of playwrights representing the diverse perspectives and voices of Los Angeles.
We are especially interested in stories told by women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and artists with disabilities.
INTERTWINED by Tracy Held Potter; BLOSSOMING 2018
Lisa Dring workshops THE WICKED ONE; 2018
Beginning each fall, the writers meet regularly throughout the year as they craft their plays. The Vagrancy hosts two mid-year development workshops wherein the plays are explored with actors and a director in a rehearsal setting with the playwright.
The process culminates each summer with BLOSSOMING, a staged reading festival of the new plays, including moderated talkbacks with the audience.
The Vagrancy is now accepting submissions for its 2022/2023 Writers' Group.
This year's theme is "Exile/Embrace."
From late October to April, the group will meet approximately every other Wednesday evening (allowing for holiday breaks) to read and discuss the plays-in-progress. Selected playwrights are required to bring new work to each session and attend at least 12 of the 14 scheduled meetings. Each playwright will be paired with a director who will lead two developmental sessions with actors during the writing process: a First Read in January, and a Mini-Workshop in April. The process culminates in May with an in-depth workshop and staged readings of each new play as part of The Vagrancy's new play festival, BLOSSOMING. Selected playwrights will receive a $100 stipend after the conclusion of the festival. *All scheduled meetings will be held in a hybrid in-person/virtual format until further notice.*
All pitches for this year's Writers' Group should tell a story inspired by the theme "Exile/Embrace." The Vagrancy is seeking stories that delve into both aspects of the theme. While all types of communities in the world today are healing and reconnecting, we encourage playwrights to examine feelings of alienation as well as belonging.
All interested playwrights should submit a 1-page pitch outlining a new play, a writing sample, and a brief playwright's bio. Only playwrights in the Los Angeles area will be considered. Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and playwrights with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Please do not submit ideas for plays that have already been started; the Writers' Group is designed to support projects at their inception.
