"I work as an artist, and I think the audience of one, which is the self, and I have to satisfy myself as an artist. So I always say that I write for the same people that Picasso painted for. I think he painted for himself."
What comes forth from you as an artist cannot be controlled. But you have responsibilities as a global citizen. Your hisstory dictates your duty. And by writing about black people, you are not limiting yourself. The experiences of African-Americans are as wide as God’s closet.
A novelist writes a novel, and people read it But reading is a solitary act. While it may elicit a varied and personal response, the communal nature of the audience is like having five hundred people read your novel and respond to it at the same time. I find that thrilling.
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The College of Fellows of the American Theatre, in partnership with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), is proud to honor the legacy of August Wilson, and his impact on theatre in higher education and theatrical production around the world.
We invite applications for the third year of The August Wilson Fellowship for students of color in Theatrical Production, Design, and Technical Theatre.
This fellowship, initiated by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, has been created to address the urgent need to bolster emerging theatre professionals of color by supporting and providing a summer residency with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, in the awardee’s area of specialization.
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The August Wilson Fellowship
The August Wilson Fellowship will take place Summer 2027 (late May through mid-August) at the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center—known as “the launchpad of American Theatre”—where the early plays of August Wilson were workshopped. The O’Neill has shaped some of the most important voices and works in American theatre and has revolutionized the way new work is developed.
The fellowship will afford immersive, experiential training in the production area of the selected Fellow’s focus. The fellowship will include travel, housing, all meals, and a weekly scholarship of $150 from the College of Fellows, and a weekly stipend of $150 from the O'Neill.
The selected Fellow will be fully integrated with the O’Neill professional and summer staff to make a season of developing new plays, musicals, cabaret acts, and puppet theater possible, get intensive experience, and participate in all the activities of an O’Neill Summer.
Eligibility:
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production is open to applicants from the Global Majority from all accredited universities or training programs throughout the United States.
Self-nominations are accepted. Candidates from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are especially encouraged to apply.
The profile of successful candidates for this Fellowship are highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in Theatrical Production, Design, and/or Technical Theatre.
The Work of the Fellowship
The 2027 August Wilson Fellow will work directly with resident and guest designers, collaborating with the full artistic staff from each of the O’Neill’s four summer conferences to best support the workshops, rehearsals and performances.
-If the Fellow is a lighting or sound designer, they will assist the area supervisors with creating and maintaining all design paperwork, assist with the installations and strikes of lighting and sound systems in the O’Neill’s two indoor and two outdoor performance spaces, program and operate the light and sound boards for rehearsals and performances.
-If a scenic designer, the Fellow will be assistant to resident designers coordinating “Dream Design” meetings during the Playwrights Conference and participate in the conceptualization of projects during the Puppetry Conference.
-If a student technical director, production manager or stage manager, the Fellow will assist in the day-to-day management and coordination of all events and rehearsals
To Apply:
Please provide, as attachments or website links
1. A Letter of interest that includes a bio and short answers to the questions:
. What are your goals for your journey in technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
. What excites you about technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
2. A résumé of experience in Theatrical Production, Technical Theatre and/or Design
3. Contact information for at least two references familiar with your work (i.e., faculty, mentor, advisor, director, etc.)
4. Work samples from at least three projects or productions that thoroughly demonstrate your process and abilities. (Example work samples can include (but are not limited to): production photos, rough sketches, ground plans, light plots, cue lists, video clips, sound clips, drafting, renderings, thumbnails, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photos, lists, run sheets, patterns, research, samples, process photos, mockups, budgets, promptbooks, rehearsal paperwork, or production calendars.)
Send Your Documents To:
Deadline to Apply:
February 15, 2027