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Fact Sheet

Founded in 1998, the Ojai Playwrights Conference is now in its thirteenth season.

OUR MISSION:

To develop and advance un-produced plays of artistic excellence by both established and emerging playwrights.
To support diverse voices who focus on compelling social, political, and cultural issues.
To promote creative freedom and experimentation, and support the development process in a retreat environment.
To nurture a new generation of playwrights by providing a comprehensive Youth Playwriting Workshop.
To present a series of public symposia with prominent guest artists on topics that will enrich the political, cultural, and artistic life of Southern Californians.

ESTABLISHED PLAYWRIGHTS:

OPC has supported the development of established writers such as Christopher Durang, Arthur Kopit, Luis Alfaro, Lee Blessing, Charlayne Woodard, Jon Robin Baitz, Stephen Belber, Julia Cho, Adam Rapp, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Danny Hoch, Lynn Manning, and Keith Bunin. Most of the plays developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference go on to full productions in New York, Los Angeles, and regional theatres. Recently, Paris Letter by Jon Robin Baitz, McReele by Stephen Belber, Flight by Charlayne Woodard, and The Busy World Is Hushed by Keith Bunin went on to major productions in New York and Los Angeles.

EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS:

Each season, OPC places a high priority on developing emerging writers like Nikkole Salter and Danai Gurira whose first play, In the Continuum, confronts the devastating problem of AIDS among African and African-American women. After its development at OPC in 2004, Continuum received a New York production, went on to tour in Zimbabwe and South Africa, is currently on tour in the US, and has just been honored with a 2006 OBIE Award. OPC’s commitment to the development of emerging artists also extends to our Youth Playwriting Program. Each year, 12 high school students, under the mentorship and instruction of theatre professionals, are chosen to develop and perform their own work during the Conference. This valuable program helps inspire our next generation of American writers.

OPC Contact Information:

Office Address:

407 C Bryant Circle

Ojai, CA 93023

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1288
Ojai, CA 93024

Administration:

(805) 640.0400
info@ojaiplays.org