“Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is very excited to launch the second year of this program for playwrights! We will select four playwrights to write a new 10-minute play or 10 pages of a new play that will feature up to four actors around the theme and inspired by the "red string."
“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb
Drawing inspiration from the “Red String” theory, we will explore what connects people, artists, and communities in their creative endeavors. Going beyond the original “soulmate” concept, we will explore how people connect.
Timothy Rey, Artistic Associate and playwright of the Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, will facilitate the cohort.
Commitment: We encourage you to start writing after you are accepted in October.
One in-person meet and greet with food for fun in November!
After that, the group will meet twice online collectively for writing prompts and feedback.
The dates are TBD based on scheduling and meetings of cohort members: Two in January, where all members are present to help give feedback.
The stage reading will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
We encourage the playwrights to talk to each other outside of meetings to foster community among each other outside of the facilitator's time.
There is no cost to apply. CDE will produce the reading. CDE hopes to have one or two of the plays move to our Next Stage Play Development program. CDE is a welcoming and inclusive organization; please visit our website for more information.
Applications open August 1, 2025
Submissions for the Playwright Cohort by September 15, 2025
With notifications of acceptance by October 6, 2025
Location: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (1650 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60625)
Accessibility: At this time, the auditorium is not accessible. It is a 150-year-old building for which we are currently fundraising for a wheelchair lift. There are eight steps to a landing and another eight steps to the second floor, where the auditorium is located. We will try to accommodate the needs of the artists submitting.
Residency value: $2,000
“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb
Drawing inspiration from the “Red String” theory, we will explore what connects people, artists, and communities in their creative endeavors. Going beyond the original “soulmate” concept, we will explore how people connect.
Timothy Rey, Artistic Associate and playwright of the Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, will facilitate the cohort.
Commitment: We encourage you to start writing after you are accepted in October.
One in-person meet and greet with food for fun in November!
After that, the group will meet twice online collectively for writing prompts and feedback.
The dates are TBD based on scheduling and meetings of cohort members: Two in January, where all members are present to help give feedback.
The stage reading will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
We encourage the playwrights to talk to each other outside of meetings to foster community among each other outside of the facilitator's time.
There is no cost to apply. CDE will produce the reading. CDE hopes to have one or two of the plays move to our Next Stage Play Development program. CDE is a welcoming and inclusive organization; please visit our website for more information.
Applications open August 1, 2025
Submissions for the Playwright Cohort by September 15, 2025
With notifications of acceptance by October 6, 2025
Location: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (1650 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60625)
Accessibility: At this time, the auditorium is not accessible. It is a 150-year-old building for which we are currently fundraising for a wheelchair lift. There are eight steps to a landing and another eight steps to the second floor, where the auditorium is located. We will try to accommodate the needs of the artists submitting.
Residency value: $2,000