WRITER’S ROOM

Life Jacket’s WRITER’S ROOM is a dramaturgical home dedicated to supporting and uplifting emerging LGBTQ+ playwrights who are committed to creating new investigative works based on — or inspired by — real people and events. The following playwrights were chosen from a pool of 200+ applicants, reflecting a growing demand for dedicated spaces uplifting and nurturing LGBTQ+ voices in theater.

2025 COHORT

MISSION

The mission is simple, but vital: to provide a creative home-away-from-home for emerging LGBTQ+ playwrights to hone their craft and amplify their voices. Particularly now—as we experience yet another unprecedented era of current events—LGBTQ+ playwrights must feel empowered to use story to foster community, diversity, and meaningful conversation. WRITER’S ROOM is about much more than just developing plays—it's about gathering artists who are committed to investigating the untold stories that our LGBTQ+ community needs, now more than ever, to grow and thrive.

STRUCTURE

Throughout the program, playwrights meet twice monthly for six writing studio sessions, where they workshop full-length plays in development, exchange feedback, and collaborate in a dynamic, artist-led environment. The program culminates with an invited reading, showcasing excerpts of the playwrights' works.

SUPPORT

This program is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Small Theatres Fund, John Golden Fund, and Howard Gilman Foundation.