
The Tutterow Fellowship is named after the late Russ Tutterow, the first and 30-year artistic director of Chicago Dramatists. The program honors Mr. Tutterow’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talent that might not otherwise get the opportunity to grow – all free of charge.
Designed to support the emergent playwright, this two-year fellowship emphasizes training, practice and mentorship. Ideal candidates display significant potential for developing their craft, their voice and their network of collaborators during their fellowship at Chicago Dramatists. Our goal is to include historically under-represented voices, including writers of color, LGBTQIA, differently-abled, and/or neuro-divergent.
Fellows are enrolled in year-round classes, workshops and writers’ groups as part of a curriculum that is tailored to their individual needs as a writer. They receive a new-play commission, career development seminars, masterclasses and a mentor from the professional industry. The program culminates in a celebratory weeklong festival of public readings.
Submissions
Applications for the Tutterow Fellowship will reopen in 2022.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Joyce Foundation.