New School Drama Playwrights Dominate Play Development Competition
Becca Schlossberg
Of the 400 applications Page 73 Productions, an organization that developments and produces new work by early-career playwrights, received for their yearlong development program, the Interstate 73 Writers Group, eight incredible playwrights were selected. It should comes a no surprise that four of them happen to be New School for Drama graduates.
Mashuq Deen (MFA Playwriting ’06), Nick Gandiello (MFA Playwriting ’11), Janine Nabers (MFA Playwriting ’08), and Becca Schlossberg (MFA Playwriting ’12), will spend the year developing their work with bi-monthly meetings to engage with other emerging playwrights, sharing their latest writing, receiving developmental feedback and support, and having an opportunity for a public or private reading.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to share and hear my work with a talented group of people,” said Schlossberg.  “It will push me to keep writing and honing my skills,” she adds. “And I have heard of and read so many of their shows. I’m really honored to be a part of that!”
Gandiello was also enthusiastic about the opportunity. “I admire their mission and the writers they support,” he said. “I’ll get to spend significant time with other writers, learn about and celebrate their voices, and give and receive a leaning shoulder when the going gets rough. That’s vital.”
Founded in 1997, Page 73 Productions has made a name for itself as a home for the development and creation of new work by early-career playwrights. They seek out untried playwrights who have yet to be recognized in New York City and usher their work from first draft to production-ready script. Page 73′s developmental programs are designed to give early-career playwrights the tools and resources to ready their work for production opportunities, offering a crucial steppingstone at a critical, early point in a writer’s career.
For more information on Page 73, visit www.page73.org.Â