Center Theatre Group has selected participants for the 2021-2022 L.A. Writers’ Workshop, where local playwrights are invited to spend a year in residence at the company researching and writing new works with feedback from artistic staff and their fellow writers.

The workshop, administrated by Center Theatre Group’s Artistic Department, is designed to foster new voices, inspire playwrights to create their best work, encourage bold writing and build relationships among local playwrights, Center Theatre Group and the Los Angeles theatre community.

Participants in the 2021-22 L.A. Writers’ Workshop include Jami Brandli, June Carryl, Jessica Ko, Penelope Lowder, Julie Taiwo Oni, Lisa Ramirez, Tisha Marie Reichle-Aguilera, Pia Shah, Judy Soo Hoo and DeLanna Studi.

Playwrights were selected by Center Theatre Group’s artistic staff. Each year, the goal is to bring together Los Angeles playwrights, all of varying backgrounds and writing styles, with the intent on creating work that challenges audiences and the surrounding theatre community. To be eligible, the writers must currently reside in Los Angeles and must either be starting work on a new play or interested in starting work on a new play.

“We welcome these 10 playwrights, who are creating their art in Los Angeles, to join us this year in not only making new work, but to be a moral compass, guide and inspiration, reminding us of our search for excellence in expression, and the ways in which we can do our work,” said associate artistic director Luis Alfaro. “Los Angeles is filled with great possibilities and here, we find first, 10 examples of excellent craftspeople. They remind us that the future is female. They also represent the diverse communities of Los Angeles. We are humbled to welcome them into this institution, for this, is a writer’s theater.”

The workshop is held through monthly meetings where the 10 playwrights will come together to fuel the creative process and further the evolution of their work. During these meetings, the playwrights have the opportunity to lead cold readings, conduct improvisational exercises for scene development, discuss and deliberate relevant topics and invite additional experts as needed.

The residency will culminate in a festival at the Kirk Douglas Theatre featuring professional actors and directors presenting readings of the artists’ final work.

In the 16 years since its founding, the Writers’ Workshop community has grown to 113 playwrights, including Jennifer Haley, Dominque Morisseau, Qui Nguyen, Kemp Powers and Marco Ramirez.