The 2027 Application Process

Each applicant is allowed ONE application. In an effort to be fully transparent about our process, we are happy to share the information below:

TIMELINE

October 1, 2026: Application deadline (Midnight Pacific Time)
October 2-November 9, 2026: Round one of reviews
November 10-December 21, 2026: Round two of reviews
Early January, 2027: Applicants notified if they did not advance to final round
December 21, 2026-February 1, 2027: Round three of reviews begins
February 20-21, 2027: Zoom interviews with finalists
March 2027: Remaining applicants notified of final selections
May 20-30, 2027: Annual Writers’ Residency

REVIEW PROCESS

The review process will consist of three rounds and final interviews. The first two rounds will progressively narrow the applicant pool down to a set of about 30 finalists. Approximately 21 paid readers will be recruited to review applications for rounds 1-2, and a select group of about 11 reviewers will review finalists applications and select and interview final candidates. There is no application fee and all reviewers will be paid for their time, effort, and expertise. The identities of the panelists will remain anonymous until the selection process has been completed, at which time their names will be shared publicly. 

ROUND 1

Each reader will review up to 30 applications including the artist statement, 10-pg writing sample, and plans for the 2027 residency. Additionally, panelists will review the CV/Bio/Resumé, and will provide a “Yes” or “No” response. In this round, each application will be reviewed by one panelist, and we anticipate that 20% of all applications will advance to round 2.

ROUND 2
***NHP alumni are automatically advanced to Round 2***

Groups of 3 panelists will each review 20-25 applications, including the artist statement, 10-pg writing sample, and plans for the 2027 conference. Additionally, panelists will review the CV/Bio/Resumé, and will collectively work to advance a small number of applications to the final round. In this round, each application will be reviewed by 3 panelists, and we anticipate 10% of round 2 applications will advance to the final round.

FINAL ROUND

Three small panels of reviewers will evaluate a group of 8-10 final applications each, including full scripts/representative work samples. Each panel will then select a small group of artists for zoom interviews with senior staff and make final recommendations as to who should be invited to participate in the 2027 residency.

FINAL DECISIONS

The selection panels will make recommendations based on their reviews to:

Jenni Werner, Executive Artistic Director
Phaedra Michelle Scott, Resident Dramaturg

Final decisions will be made by this small group and will factor in panelist recommendations, commitments to becoming a more just, equitable, and antiracist institution, and budget. We anticipate selecting 15-19 applicants for participation in the 2027 residency.

PANEL DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Each panel will be predominantly comprised of individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds. At no point shall cis-gendered white males comprise a majority.