Kenley Smith
co-founded and directs the TPS playwriting program. He came to Nashville in 2011 as an Ingram New Works playwright, and he facilitated the Writing Room at Nashville Rep from 2015 to 2017. Earlier, Kenley founded Studio Roanoke, a new-works venue in Virginia that put up some 30 first or second productions from 2009 to 2012. His plays, including DEVIL SEDAN, EMPIRES OF ETERNAL VOID and MAIDENS, have been produced in Chicago, Nashville, Memphis and Omaha; AKUMA-SHIN received its world premiere in 2018 at Sacred Fools Theatre in Los Angeles. All three plays were MainStage selections at the Great Plains Theatre Conference in Omaha. Learn more about Kenley and his work here.
Molly Breen
co-founded TPS and acts as Program Coordinator and aProducer for TPS. She is an actor who loves working with new plays and playwrights. She performs with many Nashville theatre companies, has appeared on stage in Atlanta, Kentucky, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. and has also originated roles in more than 15 world premiere productions. As a writer, she has received fellowships with the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and the Mary Anderson Center for the Arts. Actors interested in participating in TPS workshops or readings can send headshot/resume/ age range to molly@tnplaywrights.org.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
TPS stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and is committed to creating opportunities for Black playwrights, actors, directors and other theatre artists.
Some Black-Owned Theatre Companies to know in Nashville:
The Destiny Theatre Experience
Tennessee Playwrights Studio is committed to inclusion and a safe, harassment-free work environment.
NEW WORKS IN NASHVILLE
Playwrights, actors and other theatre artists: Looking for other organizations that help develop and/or produce new works in Nashville? Here are some to check out!
The Destiny Theatre Experience
our home for 2020
TPS partners with Actors Bridge Ensemble
We're delighted to be working in partnership again with Actors Bridge Ensemble! ABE has long been an advocate for new works, producing dozens of world and Nashville premieres. and always provides Middle Tennessee audiences with bold, challenging theatre. We can't think of an organization that better shares our goals and outlook.
Beginning in March, our monthly workshops will be in the Actors Bridge Studio behind the Darkhorse Theatre at Charlotte Avenue and 47th Avenue N. in Nashville.