Early-Career playwrights are writers in the first several years of their practice who are still developing a body of work. They may have readings or workshops but typically have few or no professional productions. Education-based work (MFA productions, class readings, university festivals) does not count as professional experience.

These writers may be within 3 years of graduate school, or within 5 years of undergraduate.

This is not a rule, just a guideline.

Mid-Career playwrights have several years of sustained writing practice and a growing body of work, including workshops or professional productions. They may have regional or national recognition and are actively expanding their artistic networks and opportunities, though they may still be developing visibility or access in certain areas. 

Usually, this writer has been outside of schooling for 3+ years, but there may be exceptions. At DPP, we consider most artists to be in their mid-career. Mid-career is not a marker or any metric of ‘success’.

Legacy playwrights are long-practicing writers and cultural elders whose artistic contributions, mentorship, and sustained creative presence have shaped their communities or artistic ecosystems over time. Professional production history is not required; recognition may come through lineage, storytelling practices, cultural stewardship, teaching, or long-term creative output.

This is a playwright who has limited to no professional experience. They do not have professional production; their early work is usually exploratory or education-based projects.

This is a playwrightin the process of emerging or re-emerging within any stage of their career. This may include playwrights who have been writing and submitting consistently for many years, but are looking to achieve a specific career goal, such as a full production, a production of a certain level, publication, getting an agent, etc. 

An emerging playwright may have a few festival selections, semi-finalist or finalist status, or small-venue professional productions. They have a few professional workshops, labs, projects, or productions. This includes multilingual, experimental, or cross-border practices not yet institutionally recognized. 

Because of this, emerging is individual to each person, but generally, playwrights who have yet to do the following: receive a significant national or international prize or fellowship, have a Broadway production, have a significant production at a League of Resident Theatres (LORT)* C or above, or have been commissioned at a LORT C or above.

This is a playwright who has also had significant success in certain areas (established) while pursuing growth in others (emerging). This may include playwrights who have been working consistently for many years, but are looking to achieve a specific career goal.

This playwright typically has had multiple professional productions OR multiple commissions OR recurring institutional relationships. They are growing in visibility in the field. 

This playwright may have received a significant national or regional prize or fellowship, had a significant production at a League of Resident Theatres (LORT)* C or above, or have been commissioned at a LORT C or above.

This is a well-established playwright with name recognition, significant productions, awards, fellowships, etc. They have reached many of their career goals. They have a national or international presence. They may have publications, major awards, multiple institutional partnerships, or recognized productions.

This playwright has received a significant regional, national, or international prize or fellowship, has had a significant production at a League of Resident Theatres (LORT)* C or above, or has been commissioned at a LORT C or above.