Many festival plays go on to receive professional productions in New York, Chicago and around the country. Renowned theater professionals are invited to the University to respond to the work of OU playwrights. These distinguished guests conduct seminars, workshops, and respond to the work of OU playwrights. Recent guests have included nationally acclaimed playwrights Lee Blessing, Rick Cleveland, Eric Coble, Rebecca Gilman, Julie Jensen, Jon Klein, Sherry Kramer, Quincy Long, Julie McKee and Susan Yankowitz, in addition to Chuck Smith (Artistic Associate, Goodman Theatre in Chicago), Janet Allen (Artistic Director, Indiana Repertory), Mead Hunter (Literary Director, Portland Center Stage, in Portland Oregon), Sandy Shinner (Associate Artistic Director, Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago), Ed Herendeen (Contemporary American Theatre Festival) and Dennis Zacek (Artistic Director of the Tony-award winning Victory Gardens Theater). For more information on the nationally known professionals and guest artists in residence during past festivals, please view full guest artist bios here.