CHICAGO: Chicago Dramatists has announced six playwrights who will be part of the first class of Tutterow Fellows, a program named in honor the late longtime artistic director of Chicago Dramatists, Russ Tutterow. The fellowship will supply developmental support for writers, and the playwrights will present selected scenes of new work at the Tutterow Fellowship Showcase on January 28, 2017.

The selected playwrights include Rachel DuBose, Osiris Khepera, Caroline Macon, Derek Lee McPhatter, Cassandra Rose, and Loy Webb.

“This program gives writers who are not involved in MFA coursework, either by artistic choice or financial necessity, access to developmental resources,” said artistic director Meghan Beals in a statement. “Some of the greatest playwrights, such as August Wilson and Maria Irene Fornés, developed their craft through apprenticeship and experimentation, rather than through an academic institution. Chicago Dramatists will give the Fellows the space and resources to do that.”

Chicago Dramatists has appointed Leean Kim Torske as director of the Tutterow Fellows. She will bring her experience as a playwright, dramaturg, educator, and producer to the new role.