068 Magazine

Playwriting Fellowship

Tenisi Davis, Will Jeffries, and Nedra Snipes in Should We Dance Instead? by Phanésia Pharel.

Thrown Stone Theatre Company Launches
068 Magazine Playwriting Fellowship

Ridgefield, CT, January 27, 2022 – With major support from 068 Magazine, Thrown Stone Theatre Company has launched the 068 Magazine Playwriting Fellowship and named its first fellow, Phanésia Pharel. The six-month fellowship will begin February 1, and include a stipend, developmental funds, and workshops in support of the playwright’s new material.

Ms. Pharel wrote the sensational new play, Should We Dance Instead?, for Thrown Stone’s 2021 season, The Suburbs. The play resurrects Ned and Betsy Armstrong — the now-famous operators of the Ridgefield Underground Railroad — in today’s world, where their family homestead is on the market for $28 million. Performed on the front lawn of the West Lane Inn, Ms. Pharel’s visionary story depicted the Armstrongs reclaiming their moral legacy and more importantly, their own happiness. BroadwayWorld said the play “brilliantly blends history, spirituality, and creativity.”

“Earlier this fall, we got the tragic news of the sudden closure of The Lark, a developmental theatre company in New York that has been instrumental in supporting the work of hundreds of playwrights, including Thrown Stone collaborators Jacqueline Goldfinger, Molly Smith Metzler, and Anna Moench,” said Thrown Stone Co-Artistic Director Jason Peck. “Then we learned that Phanésia had been a finalist for The Lark’s 2022 New Voices Fellowship when the company folded.”

“This program’s dissolution leaves some of the best and brightest new talents without crucial early-career support,” added Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Winn. “We were fortunate to give Ms. Pharel her first professional production, and with major support from 068 Magazine, we have created our own fellowship for this talented playwright.”

Phanésia Pharel
Phanésia Pharel

“The Lark was an immeasurable loss for playwrights seeking an invigorating theatrical community to fortify their craft,” said Ms. Pharel. “In my experience Thrown Stone excels in pushing the envelope artistically while offering an uplifting and life-giving production process. The opportunity to develop my work extensively with an organization that spurred one of the best artistic moments I’ve had thus far makes me feel blissfully blessed! I am so excited to see the work that comes out of this opportunity and the ability to connect with the lovely Ridgefield community further.”

With the help of 068 Magazine, the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, and its board of directors, Thrown Stone has secured over half of the necessary funding for the fellowship — enough to proceed on February 1.

“068 Magazine strives to bring the best of arts, culture and people to the 068 area,” said Owner Dee Dee Colabella. “068 Magazine supports the creative organizations and talent found everywhere in our community and cannot wait to see what Ms. Pharel creates.”

“The Fellowship fits perfectly within the overarching goals we have to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work,” says Lisa Scails, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. “We’re excited about this new and timely opportunity and proud to support it.” 

The 068 Magazine Playwriting Fellowship represents a significant expansion of Thrown Stone’s capacity, and the company continues to fundraise in support of this important new program with the hope of offering it to early-career playwrights on a perennial basis. To find out how you can help, contact Thrown Stone at (203) 442-1714 or info@thrownstone.org

About 068 Magazine

068 Magazine
Ridgefield Magazine and Wilton Magazine are now 068 Magazine. For nearly 20 years, these publications have been devoted to telling the remarkable stories of the Ridgefield, Connecticut and Wilton, Connecticut communities. Through compelling content and design, our experienced team of writers, creatives, and photographers tell stories that surprise and captivate readers. 068Magazine continues to deliver the best of Fairfield County to over 60,000 readers in the 068 Zip Codes, completely complimentary. Colabella Media is the owner of 068 magazine, which will now be designed by the RPAC Art Center design team.

ABOUT THE CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT

Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut

The Cultural Alliance connects with artists, creative entrepreneurs, arts and cultural organizations and we provide support to them. We engage the public, businesses, and government leaders  to advance the arts and integrate creativity in communities.

About Thrown Stone Theatre Company

Thrown Stone’s mission is “to engage our region with new and reimagined theatre in intimate settings, creating a body of work that moves, connects, and challenges all who join the conversation.”

For questions and requests please contact Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Winn at (203) 442-1714 or info@thrownstone.org.