The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre launched a new fellowship program to support emerging playwrights and selected Linda Paola Varela as our inaugural Fellow for a four-month residency. The program, which will select a BIPOC playwright each fall and an LGBTQIA+ playwright each spring, is designed to address the lack of representation for communities that have been historically marginalized or excluded both on the page and on the stage. There is a dearth of positively representative work written for audiences of all ages. We encourage Fellows to create plays that appeal to young audiences and adults alike through engaging, emotionally-resonant storytelling.

This fellowship looks at both the individual and the big picture of performing arts. It supports a promising playwright by pairing them with mentorship by leading artists, and in so doing aids the larger agenda of expanding the body of work by diverse voices. For this fellowship, Linda worked closely with nationally-recognized and lauded playwright and dramaturg Elaine Romero.

On the evening of Dec. 15, we will hear the culmination of Linda’s work over the past few months: a reading of her new short play, Crowning Glory, directed by Matt Denney, followed by a discussion with Linda, Elaine, and the artists who performed the reading. The talk will be facilitated by Associate Producer Raulie Martinez.