Playwrights Horizons Announces Initiatives to Provide Higher Compensation for Writers

Playwrights Horizons has announced two initiatives aimed to expand the ways in which theater writers are compensated. As a writers' theater, Playwrights Horizons is committed to establishing new standards in compensation, taking a leadership position in responding to the reality that theater writers are among the lowest-compensated creative artists in America.

Playwrights Horizons will now provide health-care support for writers by contributing financially to health-insurance costs for all writers in the 2014-15 season — offsetting a portion of each writer’s monthly premiums. The theater company believes it will be the first in the country to provide this support for all its writers for the entire season in which they are produced.

The company is also establishing a precedent by paying writers for their rehearsal and pre-production time. It will be the first theater to compensate its playwrights for their multi-week pre-production efforts, during which the writers are heavily engaged in such activities as auditions, casting, readings, and creative meetings.

"From the day of its founding in 1971, Playwrights Horizons has been dedicated to the American writer," said Judith Rubin, chairman of the board of trustees of Playwrights Horizons. "With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our commitment to our writers."

To learn more about current and upcoming productions at Playwrights Horizons, click here.