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With an unwavering pledge to model a robust, equitable, and inclusive new play ecology that reflects a broad range of aesthetics, National New Play Network has made equity, diversity, inclusion, and access strategic priorities, and is currently seeking Core Member Theaters of Color (See definition 1 below) and Associate Member Theaters, especially those that identify as Theaters of Color, which are like-minded, professional (2), non-profit organizations with a demonstrated commitment (3) to producing new plays (4).

NNPN Member Theaters must:

• Pay dues as mandated annually by NNPN
• Maintain eligibility per the criteria and definitions included in this document
• Agree to actively participate in the Network
• Sign and stand in solidarity and action with NNPN’s anti-racism/anti-bias statement and action plan (5)
• Adopt an organizational anti-racism/anti-bias statement with clear objectives for its organization by no later than June 30, 2021, and share outcomes/updates with all NNPN Member Theaters annually

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate Membership provides a wide range of professional, nonprofit producing theaters that develop and/or produce new works with access to the Network and its programs. Associate Members must meet certain budgetary and producing criteria but are not required to go through a full vetting process and contribute dues at a lower rate.

Associate Member benefits include:

• The opportunity to partner with other Member Theaters on an NNPN Rolling World Premiere
• Submission opportunities for other select programs
• Invitations to the National Showcase of New Plays and Annual Conference
• Participation in all Member Chats and Pitch Sessions
• A free Organization subscription on the New Play Exchange®

For more on the process of applying for Associate Membership, please contact Rose Figueroa at [email protected].

CORE MEMBERSHIP

Core Membership is best suited to theaters with a desire to participate in the governance of the organization and to help shape NNPN’s programs for its membership and the new play field. Currently NNPN is seeking Core Membership applications from companies that identify as Theaters of Color. Core Members have access to the full range of NNPN programs and funding opportunities and make a greater financial commitment to the organization.

Core Member benefits include:

• All benefits listed above as well as enhanced Rolling World Premiere options and funds
• The opportunity to seek funds for playwright commissions, Producers in Residence, and collaborative development projects
• Travel funds to attend the National Showcase of New Plays and Annual Conference, visit other Member Theaters, or attend a new play festival
• Deep connections to other individuals and institutions invested in the new play universe and the work they champion

NNPN’s Membership Committee, with the support of staff, vet prospective Core Members over the course of a season. Applications are reviewed and voted on by the NNPN Core Membership at its Annual Conference, held each year in late spring.

For more on the process of applying for Core Membership, please contact [email protected].

DEFINITIONS

(1) Theaters of Color are defined by NNPN as theaters that Self-Identify as Theaters of Color that make work by, for, with, and about Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC)

(2) Professional theaters are defined by NNPN as theaters that:

• Contract and compensate collaborators at rates commensurate with professional standards in their market
• Strive to achieve, advocate, and maintain the highest standards for the content and delivery of production
• Exemplify honesty and integrity in its artistic, administrative, and fiduciary responsibilities
• Treat colleagues with fairness and respect, honor differences, speak up for what is right and take an active, problem-solving approach to issues within its organization and community
• Enact policies and ensure that all employees, board members, volunteers, and program participants are responsible for fostering a safe working environment, free of harassment and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender identity, language, sexual orientation, neuro diversity and/or disability, and/or economic class.
  
• Maintain a professional relationship with creative collaborators both in and outside of the theater and rehearsal space
• Consider the physical and emotional wellbeing of patrons, staff, and artists in all decisions and actions

These principles are written in broad terms to help clarify what NNPN considers to be a professional theater. Active members of the Network are expected to demonstrate conduct that follows these recognized and established professional standards.

(3) NNPN determines that a theater has demonstrated a commitment to producing new plays if it has:

• Fully produced at least two new plays as defined above over the last three programming cycles or seasons
• No more than ⅓ of a theater’s new plays in the last three cycles or seasons have been adaptations of literary works or pre-existing material

(4) A new play is, for NNPN’s purposes, one that is:

• A work that was previously unproduced OR received its first professional production in the past three programming cycles or seasons
• Has had no commercial productions since its initial opening
• Has had fewer than three regional productions

(5) An anti-racism/anti-bias statement and action plan, broadly defined, is a document that codifies the objectives for and plans to counteract and prevent bias and oppose and prohibit unfair discrimination against people based on race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender identity, language, sexual orientation, neurodiversity and/or disability, and/or economic class.