A DIFFERENT MYTH
A New Collaboration Between Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective and the American Myth Center
A Different Myth seeks Emerging Black Playwrights for New Works Development Program
Through this new program, A Different Myth, Different Strokes! and the AMC are proud to foster emerging Black playwrights in the development and production of powerful new plays which entertain, inform, and enlighten audiences, and deepen their awareness of Black joy. A Different Myth offers playwrights a chance to develop their work with experienced mentors, directors, actors and eventually an audience.
The goal of A Different Myth is to support writers in a nurturing environment that understands the context of their work so that writers don’t feel like guests in someone else’s house but feel at home throughout the birthing process of their work.
We define emerging playwrights as anyone whose goal it is to write a play, whether they have before or not. The simple application will require an idea for a story and a sample of their work. Selected applicants will then sit down with Stephanie and Aaron in an effort to decide whether or not A Different Myth is a good fit for them. The program will include a commission for the playwright, royalties, actor stipends, and other production-related funds as well as the cost of theater rental for both rehearsal and performances.
This is a rolling submission with no deadline.
- If the partnership moves forward, the developmental process will be tailored specifically to the individual playwright. This may include dramaturgical or analytical mentorship, access to directors and actors, and any combination of private and public readings. Payment for all artists is included in the program. The process will last as long as it takes for the play to be finished.
- Once the play is finished, the playwright will be awarded a $1,000 commission and the play will be scheduled for professional production by Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective.
Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective is a non-profit performing arts organization committed to making theatre, building community, facilitating awareness, and changing the world one play at a time. Different Strokes! appreciates the value of empathetic and thought-provoking theatre as a profound and effective means to social change and transformation. Stephanie Hickling Beckman has been active in theatre for most of her life, as an Actor, Stage Manager, and Director. As the Founder and Managing Artistic Director for Different Strokes!, Stephanie is committed to directing and producing theatre that expresses the diversity we encounter in our everyday lives and finding ways to recognize and honor our differences in a safe and positive environment.
The American Myth Center is a non-profit performing arts organization whose mission is to curate stories that spark necessary conversation within our community. Aaron Snook is a Co-founder and Curator. The creation of new theatrical pieces is a passion of Aaron’s and one in which he has a deep background of experience. Aaron holds an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University and has been adapting his own scripts for many years now. Prior to moving to Asheville, he worked in Chicago for 14 years where he was an Artistic Associate at Chicago Dramatists for a decade, as well as an ensemble member at Signal Ensemble Theatre, where he directed, acted in, and dramaturged countless productions of new works. He currently teaches Directing, Adaptation, Acting, and Playscript Analysis at UNC-Asheville.