Some people call it risk we call it regard for truth
Play Development Lab is the lab of choice for Black women playwrights. We develop plays people talk about and want to see.
PDL is the brainchild of Denise J. Hart, a multi-hyphenate creative. She helps playwrights write better plays that result in productions. She believes in helping black women build on their brillinace. She asks hard questions and pushes writers to dig deeper into their own unique voice . (Click here for full bio)
who write plays better than "AI" can copy them
who have something radically meaningful to say
who willingly look like they're wrong yet write anyway
who own their personal status
who own their unique voice
who don't ask for permission
Play Development Lab seeks well crafted full length un-produced plays from Black women playwrights *
ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS
Professional playwright with a minimum of one full length play (no musicals) having been fully produced at a community, regional or nationally recognized theatre
Black woman Playwright
21 years and above
No co-writer submissions
One submission per playwright
Open to Black women playwrights who reside in Washington DC, Maryland, Chicago and Atlanta.
U.S. applicants only
The submitted play must have gone through at least one previous play development process with or without culminating in a development reading
The submitted play should not have been previously produced as a full production
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
All submission materials must be in PDF digital format
Submit a PDF of a FULL LENGTH play (musicals by invitation) in the page range of 70-100 pages
Submit a PDF of a 1-2 page play breakdown to include: number of character and character description, setting, time period and development history
Submit a PDF of a one page resume
Submit a one page statement stating what three aspects of your play that you'd like to work on during the play development process
Submissions will be accepted between 6/2 - 6/6/2026. Submissions close on 6/6 at 12 midnight.
Selected playwrights are announced on 7/18/2026
Submit ALL materials to Professor Denise J. Hart, playdevelopmentlab@gmail.com
Play Development Lab (PDL) engages in a wholistic collaborative approach to supporting emerging Black women playwrights develop new plays in a safe, creative and forward-thinking environment. Because Denise focuses on helping playwrights develop process, craft and career she's committed to treating every play and its writer with care and dignity.
Two finalist playwrights will be selected to participate in a 6 month play development process. Developmental staged readings for both finalists will be held in Spring 2027.
Finalists and semi-finalists will complete a written Pre-Development Prep Process.
Finalists development process consists of:
(1) 4 weeks of one-on-one developments session
(2) several weeks of writing time
(3) a virtual development reading
Two semi-finalist playwrights will be selected for a 7 week play development process. This consists of 3 one-on-one play development sessions with a Dramaturge.
All playwrights are expected to be curious, adventurous, visionary and open to the writing shifts that arise when engaging in a professional play development process
Finalists & Semi-finalists - with support from an assigned Dramaturge, are expected to rework, edit and revise play material as the development process unfolds
All playwrights - for the duration of the development process playwrights are working in collaboration with play development dramaturge, Denise J. Hart or an other assigned Dramaturge. Playwrights retain all rights to their work at all times.
I help playwrights #DoulaBest which means birth their best work. I enjoy using dramaturgical methods to help playwrights and teams to deepen and enrich the audience experience and to fortify the research and development process for production and play development.
My style can be summed up in three words: supportive, curious and flexible. I believe in a collaborative process where the writer leads the overall experience while simultaneously remaining open to input from a trusted colleague.
In the beginning I spend an adequate amount of time in dialogue with the playwright to learn about the play from their perspective. I encourage the playwright to complete a prep questionnaire that asks the tough but necessary questions. Through a process that can be best described as ebb and flow I challenge the playwright to stay the course of rewrites and edits that solve structural, thematic and character development problems resulting in a play that captures the soul of the story they need to tell.
I mention curious because unpacking a play requires that you ask questions, investigate and consider everything you find in both a familiar and new way. Curiosity feeds my creative impulses and a significant part of the play development process includes making discoveries about what's working and what else is necessary to serve the play.
Lastly, flexibility is simply a darn good trait to have in any situation. I never leave home without it!
