NEWARK, N.J.: Audible, Inc. has announced the second group of playwrights selected to receive support from its emerging playwrights fund. The $5-million fund is dedicated to supporting the development of English-language theatre works from around the globe. The second cohort of playwrights will include Nick Carr, Christopher Chen, Elinor Cook, Berri George, Carla Grauls, Eric Micha Holmes, Lindsay Joelle, Charlotte Josephine, Mike Lew, and Marisela Treviño Orta.

The playwrights will receive financial support in addition to creative and logistical resources to support their projects. The fund will also support the audio production of each commission, and a live stage component for some of the projects.

“Audible’s newest class of playwrights is comprised of incredibly gifted creatives that are harnessing the power of voice to create theater that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime,” said Kate Navin, artistic producer of Audible Theater, in a statement.  “Audible is committed to supporting the theatre community, cultivating great talent and helping to grow audiences. We can’t wait to introduce these extraordinary new works to millions of people worldwide.”

Three Audible commissioned plays by the first round of playwrights have upcoming productions and releases this season, including Proof of Love by Chisa Hutchinson (slated for stage production at NYC’s Minetta Lane this spring), Evil Eye by Madhuri Shekar (Audible release in May), and Life Ever After by Carla Grauls (Audible release in June).