Bucks County Playhouse Debuts South Asian Artistic Initiative

NEW HOPE, PA — Bucks County Playhouse Producers announced a new multi-disciplinary program Tuesday called the South Asian Artistic Initiative, designed to showcase the impact of arts and artists of South Asian heritage.

Local producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, and Josh Fiedler are partnering with the producer, director, and entrepreneur Kiran Merchant for this program.

“The South Asian Artist community is growing and thriving globally, however there are not enough platforms for these artists to showcase their talent,” Merchant said. “I am honored and excited to be collaborating on the SAAI effort with Bucks County Playhouse. This multi-faceted program will not only enhance awareness of artists of South Asian heritage and their work in diverse disciplines from theater, film/TV, dance and music, literature and visual arts, but also allow artists to be able to collaborate and exchange ideas on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary level.”

The initiative will officially launch in 2022, with its first South Asian Playwrights Festival. From now until Feb. 28, the Playhouse is accepting play submissions by South Asian writers. Finalists will receive a stipend as well as mentorship from prominent members of the arts community. One of the plays will be selected for future development.

Executive Producer of Bucks County Playhouse Robyn Goodman sees the benefit for artists and audiences alike.

“When I was introduced to Kiran by my good friend, Ann Cattaneo of Lincoln Center Theater, I felt an instant connection," Goodman said. "I was impressed with his artistic sensibilities and entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to working with him to bring new voices to the Playhouse stage.”

Producer Josh Fielder hopes that this will provide a platform for playwrights working in the performing, visual and literary arts.

“With the launch of this initiative, we can provide a platform for young writers and help develop work that will result in a more diverse, engaged community at the Playhouse and in the larger theater community," he said.

The actual festival dates will be announced shortly. Award-winning Playwright Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Christian Parker (former Associate Artistic Director of the Atlantic Theater Company), Merchant and the producers will select the finalists.

Interested writers should submit a cover letter, resume, and/or an artist's statement along with their full script in PDF format using the web form online. If submitting a musical script, please include demos in an mp3 format if available.

Because of the volume of submissions, only work that is in line with the South Asian Artistic Initiative's mission and artistic values will receive a response. Complete information and the full submission form is available online.

Questions about the program may be emailed to SAAIfestival@buckscountyplayhouse.org.

The South Asian Playwrights Festival is only the first of many artistic activities planned under the umbrella of the new initiative.

Over the next few years, the initiative will include a variety of events, opportunities for conversation and productions including film festivals showcasing seminal works by and featuring South Asian artists; panels and discussions featuring prominent members of film, theatre, and television; and readings of plays and other literary works by South Asian Playwrights.

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