Question 1

Who is Write It Out! for?

Accepted Answer

Write It Out! is open to anyone living with HIV.

Question 2

Do I need to be a playwright to apply to the fellowship?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need any writing experience to apply to The Fellowship. Writing samples can be a scene, poem, essay, etc. Writing samples can be as short as a few sentences but should NOT exceed ten pages.

Question 3

Will I need to disclose my status?

Accepted Answer

For the protection of all involved, strict confidentiality is given to each applicant and cohort. The selection committee consists of Write It Out! alums.

Question 4

When and where is The Fellowship?

Accepted Answer

The Fellowship runs for ten weeks virtually every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-6:30pm EST, September through December, with a Final Sharing on or around World AIDS Day (December 1st).

Question 5

Does The Fellowship pay selected participants?

Accepted Answer

The Fellowship comes with a modest stipend given at the end of The Program.

Question 6

When and how to do I receive payment for participating in The Fellowship?

Accepted Answer

The stipend is for completing weeks 9 and 10 (i.e., the rehearsal process and Final Sharing). If writers do not complete weeks 1 through 8, they cannot participate in weeks 9 and 10. This means they will NOT be given a stipend for failure to complete The Fellowship.

Question 7

If chosen for The Fellowship, can I attend the Final Sharing if I don’t live in NYC?

Accepted Answer

Those participants chosen for The Fellowship who live 90 minutes or more from NYC will be provided roundtrip travel and one-night lodging. We are not able to accommodate travel and lodging for anyone other than The Fellowship participants who live 90 minutes or more from NYC. If participants have someone they’d like to accompany them to the Final Sharing, they have to purchase travel on their own.

Question 8

Do I have to attend every session?

Accepted Answer

Participants selected for The Program are given three excused absences and lateness (no more than 15 minutes or it’s considered an absence). These absences and lateness are not honored during weeks 6-9 when participants start to share work in class. Participants are expected in those sessions.

Question 9

Do participants have to write about living with HIV?

Accepted Answer

Though it’s not required, participants often write plays that speak to the experience of living with HIV.

Question 10

How are the collaborators chosen?

Accepted Answer

We work closely with professional directors, actors, and stage managers who align with the Write It Out! mission and values. Internally, we curate a set of collaborators who are able to work in an ensemble capacity (i.e., directors and actors who can work with multiple playwrights and plays simultaneously) to ensure a communal experience that celebrates and honors all playwrights involved.

INITIATIVES

The Fellowship

Frequently asked questions