Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) and Columbia University School of the Arts (Carol Becker, Dean of Faculty) have announced Columbia@Roundabout, an initiative aimed at educating and developing the next generation of playwrights and theatre administrators, as both institutions celebrate their 50th anniversaries. The initiative is made possible by a grant from the Tow Foundation. Through the program, Roundabout will present new plays by Columbia MFA playwrights to public audiences and will provide apprenticeships to Columbia MFA students for a full season. All participating students will enhance their curricular studies with valuable, hands-on experience at a crucial time in their development. Components of the program include the New Play Reading Series to be held at Roundabout’s Black Box Theatre, home to its Underground program, highlighting the work of Columbia MFA playwrights. Mentorship will be provided by celebrated Columbia faculty members, including Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and OBIE Award winner Charles L. Mee. The series creates a bridge for Columbia’s emerging writers and provides Roundabout audience members with an opportunity to experience work by the next generation of leading theatre artists. Each year, two Columbia MFA candidates will apprentice with the highly experienced professional leaders of Roundabout’s executive management and artistic staffs. Roundabout’s outstanding Education team will also provide teaching artist training to Columbia students, who will then shadow professional arts educators into New York City classrooms. For more informaiton, please visit www.roundabouttheatre.org. Press contact: Polk & Co (917/261-3988)...