The New Visions New Voices Iniatitive
New Visions, New Voices (NVNV) is an initiative of Theatre Artists Workshop created to elevate and amplify underrepresented and undiscovered voices, artists, and issues. Launched through a $10,000 anonymous grant, NVNV was established to promote greater diversity in storytelling, membership, writing, dialogue, and artistry, while encouraging inspiring, innovative, and challenging work that offers fresh perspectives on universal themes.
NVNV reflects Theatre Artists Workshop’s commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices and expanding the range of stories, artists, and perspectives represented in our creative community.
Our Launch Event
To celebrate the launch of New Visions, New Voices, Theatre Artists Workshop proudly produced two evenings of powerful theatre and meaningful community engagement. The inaugural event featured Inheriting the Well, a new full-length play by celebrated member playwright Lisa McCree.
This special event brought artists and audiences together for an experience centered on storytelling, reflection, and conversation, setting the tone for what NVNV hopes to foster in the years ahead: bold work, deeper listening, and a wider circle of voices.
Lisa McCree's work has been produced or developed by Harlem Theater Company, The Atlantic Theater, Access Theater, The Henry Street Settlement’s Women of Color Festival, and The National Black Theatre Festival. The readings were directed by Westport Country Playhouse Directing Fellow Anissa Felix (Broadway; Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest).
Check out WKPN's State of the Arts radio interview with playwright Lisa McCree and director Anissa Felix!
The Vision Behind The Initiative
New Visions, New Voices exists to support work that is inspiring, innovative, and challenging. It is designed to create opportunities for stories and artists that have too often gone unheard, while strengthening a more inclusive and dynamic creative community at Theatre Artists Workshop.
Through special events, artistic development, and focused outreach, NVNV aims to support a broader spectrum of voices and perspectives while helping Theatre Artists Workshop continue to grow in diversity and artistic reach.
THE CAST
Dandy Barrett as Conkie
Dawn Vanessa Brown as Sophia
Quadasia Collins as Lyla
Lena Whiteside as Kim
Kimberly Wilson as Mama Thee
With Jeanette Harris reading Stage Directions
THE CREATIVES
Lisa McCree, Playwright
Anissa Felix, Director
Andrea Lynn Green, Production Stage Manager
Emilie Roberts, Assistant Stage Manager
Syd Young, Production Technician
Special thanks to the New Visions New Voices Committee members whose work made this possible:
Dawn Vanessa Brown, Andrea Lynn Green, Susan Jacobson, Miriam Kulick, Joy Lenters, and Lisa McCree
Support NVNV
All funds raised will replenish and strengthen the NVNV fund established by the original grantor, helping Theatre Artists Workshop continue to support future NVNV programming and opportunities.
If you believe in the power of theatre to expand perspectives, and bring new voices forward, we invite you to support New Visions, New Voices by clicking the donate button below.
Check out rehearsal, performance, and talk-back photos from Inheriting the Well below!
