Starting in the 2006-2007 season, Playwrights' Platform instituted an Actors in Residence (AiR) program. Under the direction of Phyllis Rittner, the AiR Program Coordinator, the AiR program comprises a troupe of actors who are available to our member playwrights upon request for readings and Platform productions throughout each Platform season (September-June).

Mission Statement

To establish a highly talented, multi-cultural, age-diverse and cohesive group of actors who are readily available to serve playwrights in the development of their plays for readings and productions, and to create an ongoing workshop environment for actors to gain breadth of experience and networking to foster their acting talent and careers.

AiR Program Leadership

The Actor-in-Residence Program is coordinated by Phyllis Rittner.

Playwright Benefits

As the AiR program develops, Playwrights will have the benefit of:.

• Readily available actors of the sex, age, and race to fit their roles
• The opportunity to work closely with certain actors for multiple readings of the same script to develop roles in an informative, collaborative way
• Trust that the actors they request will show up to perform
• Feedback from the actors about role development
• Increased ability to cast the best actors for festivals and production
• To establish long-term relationships with actors for mutual benefit

Actor Benefits

One of the greatest challenges for aspiring actors is how to establish a reputation in a community that demonstrates their range of talent and provides opportunities to be considered for desirable roles. Actors in Residence will have the opportunity to:

• Network with playwrights whose work is produced in a wide variety of Boston-area festival and venues
• Gain exposure through headshot/bio posted at www.playwrightsplatform.org and benefit from all Playwrights' Platform marketing
• Network with directors who do the casting for these shows
• Network with other talented actors who will recommend them for roles
• Develop their craft in rehearsal and public readings
• Gain valuable feedback and validation for growth and development
• Demonstrate the range and breadth of their talent
• Gain on-the-spot acting experience
• Learn how to work effectively with playwrights and directors
• Try on roles to see if they fit before making a significant commitment to work on a certain play
• Collaborate directly with playwrights to make great plays
• Experiment and play
• Perform in front of Boston audiences

Actor Commitment

• Perform in a minimum of two public Platform readings annually upon playwright's request.
• Perform in a minimum of one of the Platform's productions per year and the Annual Summer Festival, upon playwright's request.
• Respond to playwright's requests either by e-mail or return phone call.

Playwright Commitment

• Whenever possible, give priority casting to Actors In Residence for public readings, performances, and productions in PP Festivals and beyond