Lincoln Center Theater Begins LCT3 Series Spotlighting Emerging Playwrights

Lincoln Center Theater has announced a new programming initiative called LCT3, which will be devoted to producing the work of emerging playwrights, directors and designers. LCT3 will begin during the 2008-2009 season with two productions at the Duke Theatre on 42nd Street. The first, Clay, a one-man hip-hop musical written and performed by Matt Sax and directed by Eric Rosen, will begin a five-week engagement in October. The second production will follow in early 2009.

Clay tells the coming-of-age story of Clifford, a suburban boy who escapes his fractured family and finds a mentor in Sir John, a master of the spoken word. Clifford becomes hip-hop star Clay, but he discovers that he can't escape his past. The U.S. premiere of Clay was produced in 2006 by About Face Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago.

Citing the need to develop relationships with a new generation of artists, and recognizing the frustrations that young playwrights have with the current system of readings and workshops, LCT3 will offer its artists full, modestly produced productions. All tickets to LCT3 productions will be $20. The program will be directed by Paige Evans, who joined LCT after serving as associate artistic director/programming at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Lincoln Center Theater's long-term plans for LCT3 call for the creation of a permanent venue. According to the news release, a 99-seat theater will be built in or near Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. For the first three years, until its new theater is ready, LCT3 will present its productions at an off-site theater.