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Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre

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Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC) was formed in April of 1991 by Wanda Graham to address the needs of Atlantic Canadian playwrights and playwriting. Its mandate is to assist in the professional development of Atlantic Canadian plays and playwrights, to promote the work of Atlantic Canadian playwrights and theatres and to document Atlantic region works of theatre.

PARC’s first programs were the Playwrights Colony and the Home Delivery Program. In 1992 a regular newsletter was established. Today the weekly e-bulletin keeps members up to date on script calls, competitions and other opportunities.

In 2002 PARC was instrumental in initiating the National Network of Playwrights’ Development Centres. In 2004, it was granted charitable status.

Lifetime Memberships in PARC were presented in 2006 to Wanda Graham (Nova Scotia), Wendy Lill (Nova Scotia), Charlie Rhindress (New Brunswick), Kent Stetson (Prince Edward Island) and Anne Chislett (Newfoundland and Labrador). In 2017, Jenny Munday was awarded a Lifetime Membership.

In 2007 the PARC Library of Atlantic Canadian Scripts opened on the Mount Allison University campus in Sackville, New Brunswick. The Library is a developing resource, which will eventually house a collection of scripts by Atlantic Canadian playwrights to be available for students, researchers and potential producers.

PARC offers a wide range of programming in play development, playwright development and both play and playwright promotion. Play development programs still include Home Delivery, a long distance dramaturgy program that provides playwrights and dramaturges an opportunity to work together from their own homes, and the annual Playwrights’ Colony. Other play development programs include: Kitchen Table readings, script development workshops and playwriting residencies.

Playwright development is offered through the annual PARC Guideline for Atlantic Playwrights and Playwriting workshops, including the basics of playwriting, the business of being a playwright, publishing and theatre design for playwrights.

Play and playwright promotion are provided through the Library and through the PARC Catalogue of Atlantic plays, which is available online at www.playwrightsatlantic.ca. Playwrights’ works are also promoted through the annual Playwrights in Performance Cabarets, new play readings, an annual fundraising event, and by the Artistic Director.

Special projects are occasionally undertaken in partnership with other organizations. These projects include translations and playwrights’ exchanges.

Past Presidents of Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre include: Charlie Rhindress, Krista Wells, Paula Danckert, Catherine Banks, Bev Brett, Bruce Barton, Kent Thompson, Barry Nichols and Natasha MacLellan. Jenny Munday was PARC’s Artistic Director from 1997 to 2017. The current Artistic Director is Pamela Halstead.

Website: www/playwrightsatlantic.ca

Last updated 2021-07-28