Playwriting photo

With the establishment of the Travis Bogard Artist in Residence Program (AIR) in 2015, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation Board of Directors, through its Advisory Board, has realized a long-held goal.

The AIR three-year pilot program at Tao House is designed to provide a working retreat for developing or established playwrights, scholars or critics of the performing arts. Fellows benefit from working in the solitude and quiet of Tao House, the same creative atmosphere in which Eugene O’Neill produced his masterpieces.

Tao House fellowships are given to persons focused on the performing arts for whom a space of time to work without distraction would be beneficial. It is emphasized that there is no requirement that work be related to O’Neill.

For Tao House Fellows, a valuable resource is the availability of the Tao House library, which has holdings in the American theatre. At its core are documents and photographs pertaining to the life and works of Eugene O’Neill, as well as manuscripts and manuscript copies of original O’Neill materials. Included, as well, are unique collections donated to the Foundation by Sophus Winther, Horst Frenz, Travis Bogard and others.

Fellows live off-site in comfortable, contemplative surroundings but spend their days at the nearby Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. Housing, including meals, and local transportation is provided by the Foundation. Couples can be admitted, but only fellows will be financed. Children are not permitted.

Residencies are available between May 1 and October 31. Applications are due on  November 15 every year for the following year. Each applicant can specify preferred residency dates — from one week to one month, but the length of stay awarded will be determined by the AIR committee, based on various factors.

Fellows will be encouraged to participate in a mutually agreed upon Foundation event, as appropriate. The Foundation and NPS will expect a copy or representation of the final project resulting from the fellowship and appropriate acknowledgement in any published work.

The deadline to apply is November 15, 2017. For more information, see the Eugene O’ Neill Foundation, Tao House website.