The annual Ohio University Seabury Quinn, Jr. Playwrights’ Festival held each year at the end of the Spring Semester represents the culmination of the work of playwrights enrolled in the MFA Playwriting Program. Hover over the “Fest” tab above to see festival information year by year. Please Note: Our 2020 Festival has been modified to adjust for COVID-19. On April 23, 24, and 25 of 2020, we will be featuring a Playwright’s Roundtable.
During the festival, first year students present their work in the form of rehearsed sit-down readings. The work of second and third year students is presented in the form of rehearsed reading, script-in-hand workshop productions, or full Studio productions. Playwrights receive audience feedback in addition to individual professional response and mentoring.
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, George Brant, Deborah Brevoort, Keith Bunin, Rick Cleveland, Darrah Cloud, Eric Coble, Kara Lee Corthron, Kia Corthron, Lydia Diamond, Rebecca Gilman, Julie Jensen, Nambi Kelley, Jon Klein, Sherry Kramer, Jacqueline Lawton, Quincy Long, Julie McKee, David Toney, John Walch, Doug Wright and Susan Yankowitz, in addition to Laura Kepley (Artistic Director, Cleveland Playhouse), Chuck Smith (Artistic Associate, Goodman Theatre in Chicago), Tanya Palmer (Director of New Play Development, Goodman Theatre), Janet Allen (Artistic Director, Indiana Repertory), Mead Hunter (Literary Director, Portland Center Stage, in Portland Oregon), Ed Herendeen (Contemporary American Theatre Festival), Dennis Začek (Artistic Director, Victory Gardens Theater), and Aaron Carter (Director of New Play Development at Steppenwolf).
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