Each year, Renaissance Theaterworks puts a call out to Midwestern womxn playwrights to submit their work. Two playwrights are selected to receive the Br!NK Residency Award—the opportunity to develop and advance their scripts during a week-long workshop with a director, cast and dramaturg. This dedicated team partners with the Br!NK Resident Playwrights, researching and pondering the script from every angle. Following the workshop week, the plays are presented as staged-readings for the public at the week-long Br!NK New Play Festival in September!

The Br!NK New Play Festival is unlike a traditional theatrical evening. These staged-readings are focused on the playwright’s work and audience members are encouraged to provide feedback during guided talk-back sessions. Playwrights have the opportunity to meet the actors and directors, and mingle with a community passionate about creating and enjoying theatrical works.