Overview

A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city.

During a twelve-month residency (September 2024 – August 2025) a cohort of six selected playwrights/writing teams will attend in-person meetings at the Geffen once per month as they generate the first draft of a new play or musical. One to two playwrights share work at each meeting and receive feedback from their cohort in a forum facilitated by the Geffen’s Literary Manager & Dramaturg.

At the conclusion of the residency (September – December 2025), each playwright will have the opportunity to further develop their completed draft in a culminating reading produced by the Geffen. Readings are conducted on the LORT Staged Reading Guidelines, which allow for up to 35 hours of rehearsal and an invited audience.

Writers’ Room playwrights receive a $2,000 stipend for their participation in the program, as well as a $1,000 fee during their reading week. A meal and parking are provided at each meeting. Playwrights will also receive complimentary tickets to all Gil Cates Theater shows (and to Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater shows, subject to availability) at the Geffen during their Writers’ Room tenure.

The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.