Beatrice Terry Residency
THE BEATRICE TERRY RESIDENCY
in partnership with
The Beatrice Terry Residency, a partnership with New York Stage And Film, is designed for early and mid-career stage directors who identify as writer-directors…that is, artists that most often write the productions that they direct. The Terry Residency is specifically open to women and nonbinary people; the Residency seeks to make space and resources for these communities, who often encounter sexism, gender bias, misogyny, and other barriers as creators when they choose to both write and direct simultaneously. This residency is named for Drama League alumnus Beatrice Terry, who pioneered her own approach to theatrical creation during her lifetime, as a writer and director of her own work in a male-dominated field.
The Residency will include three phases: pre-workshop planning with Drama League staff; a writing residency for five (5) days at New York Stage And Film’s Summer Season in Poughkeepsie, NY; and a 29-hour workshop, produced by New York Stage And Film and rehearsed at the Drama League Studio Lab in New York City, as part of their winter programming in New York City. The Drama League are not, and will not be, the producers of the project itself, nor producers of any public or private event in conjunction with this residency; the recipient is responsible for all production, contracting/hiring, or other needs in this regard.
Applications are especially welcome from directors who identify as members of populations that have historically been denied equity, access, inclusion or belonging in the field and in society, who have been marginalized, underrepresented, and/or those whose paths to direction may have been nonlinear or nontraditional. This includes, but is not limited to, Black, Indigenous, Latine (Latino/Latina), AAPI (Asian-American/Pacific Islander), MENASA (Middle Eastern/North African/South Asian), Biracial, Mixed-Race, Global Majority, LGBTQIAA2+, non-binary directors, disabled, and/or immigrant directors or directors not born in the United States. Please see our F.A.Q. page for eligibility questions.
Residency Outline
Frequency
Offered every year
Recipients
One recipient each cycle
Award
Recipient receives $5,000 to cover expenses related to the Residency. Collaborating artists receive per diems as detailed in the timeline below.
Program Timeline
Please click on each date below for program timeline and details.
PRE-RESIDENCY PLANNING
The Recipient meets with Drama League staff to prepare for the process ahead, including script development, casting, and other elements.
NEW YORK STAGE AND FILM WEEK
The recipient will receive space and resources for a writing residency to work on the project, while surrounded by the creative energy of the artist community and multiple projects that comprise New York Stage And Film’s Summer Season in Poughkeepsie, NY. While in residence, if needed, NYSAF may have 1-2 actors available to read pages/scenes for the Recipient. Travel to/from New York City/Poughkeepsie and housing in Poughkeepsie provided by The Drama League and New York Stage And Film; baggage fees and in-city transportation are not provided.
INSPIRATION EXPERIENCE
Inspired by Twyla Tharp’s concept of “The Artist Date,” the Inspiration Experience is an opportunity for the Recipient to expand their exploratory investigation through a short experience inspired by the project itself. This might mean a visit to a local business or attraction, a facilitated conversation with an expert, or participation in a local event. The experience will be developed in conjunction with and facilitated by The Drama League.
DRAMA LEAGUE WEEK/PUBLIC READING
The Recipient will rehearse and explore as a director the developing text in the Drama League Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab in New York City, during one continuous week (M-F, 10am-6pm) to be scheduled with Recipient and The Drama League. As part of their winter season in New York City, New York Stage And Film will produce a reading of a work, at a time to be selected by NYSAF in consultation with the Recipient and TDL, for a 29-hour process to be produced by NYSAF. Travel to/from New York, baggage fees, in-city transportation, and housing are not provided, and is the responsibility of the Recipient and the collaborating artists.
Additional Benefits
- Access To Drama League Alumni Programming and Events
- Lifetime Drama League Artistic Membership
- VIP Pass to all publicly offered Drama League programming during Fellowship
QUESTIONS?
You may find your answer on our F.A.Q. page for artists,
which includes information about eligibility, application materials, and more.
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About The Drama League
The Drama League is a home for stage directors, and a platform for dialogue with, and between, the audiences they inspire. Founded in 1916, the organization is one of the longest-running, continuously operating arts service organizations in the United States. To support its programs for artists, or to become a member of its community, please visit www.dramaleague.org.