Description

These artistic leaders are here to demystify the play selection process! Whether you are an emerging playwright, an aspiring literary manager, or just want to learn more about the production process, you’re sure to have questions. Ask away at this virtual Q&A panel!  

Joy Meads (she/her) is Director of Dramaturgy and New Works at American Conservatory Theater. A.C.T. credits include The Headlands and Communion by Christopher Chen, Fefu and Her Friends by María Irene Fornés, Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Wakey Wakey by Will Eno, Testmatch by Kate Attwell, Her Portmanteau by Mfoniso Udofia, and The Great Leap by Lauren Yee. Prior to ACT, she was the Literary Manager and Artistic Engagement Strategist at Center Theatre Group, where her dramaturgy credits included the world premieres of Marco Ramirez’s The Royale, Ngozi Anyanwu's Good Grief, Rajiv Joseph's Archduke, Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime (2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist), and Forever by Dael Orlandersmith. Previously, she was Literary Manager at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Associate Artistic Director at California Shakespeare Theater. Meads has developed plays with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, NYTW, Berkeley Rep, Denver Center, the O'Neill, Ojai Playwrights Conference, BAM, Portland Center Stage, South Coast Rep, and Campo Santo, among others. Joy has worked on new plays with playwrights including Dael Orlandersmith, Will Eno, Sheila Callaghan, Naomi Iizuka, Aleshea Harris, Dominique Morisseau, Lucas Hnath, Paula Vogel, Rajiv Joseph, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Kimber Lee, Qui Nguyen, Jocelyn Bioh, David Adjmi, Universes, and many more. She is a co-founder of The Kilroys (www.thekilroys.org)  

Katie Craddock (she/her) is the literary manager and casting associate at A.C.T. Previously, she was the artistic associate at Berkeley Rep, where she supported season planning, casting, and dramaturgy, mentored artistic fellows, moderated postshow discussions, taught playwriting and dramaturgy to teens, served on the board/staff antiracism taskforce, and facilitated the making of new plays at The Ground Floor. Her favorite casting processes there included Wintertime, Office Hour, The Good Book, and many thrilling Ground Floor projects. Favorites so far at A.C.T. include A Christmas Carol, The Headlands, and Vietgone 2: Poor Yella Rednecks.

Dawn Monique Williams (she/her) has been Aurora's Associate Artistic Director since August 2019. An Oakland-native, she was Artistic Associate and a resident artist at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for six seasons. She's worked in theatre across the US including: HERE Arts Center, Profile Theatre (Portland), A.C.T., Chautauqua Theatre Company, African American Shakespeare Company. Williams holds an MA in Dramatic Literature and an MFA in Directing. She directed Bull In A China Shop at Aurora in Fall 2019.

Refund policy: If you are unable to attend the event, please let us know at least 24 hours before the start of the event and we will be happy to issue a full refund. We apologize, but we are unable to give refunds for late cancellations.