The Time Warner Commissioning Program at Second Stage Theatre will allow for new works "from a diverse range of artists over the next 2 to 5 years."

"Developing new plays by American writers is a cornerstone of the Second Stage Theatre mission and this program will allow us to work with both emerging and established playwrights in creating important new works for the American theatre," Second Stage artistic director Carole Rothman said in a release. "Time Warner understands that creating new plays is an ongoing process and through this partnership they are helping to support playwrights in each step of a play's creation – not only in commissioning, but by developing the play through readings and workshops, and finally, in presenting a fully realized world premiere production."

Among Second Stage Theatre's productions are works commissioned by the company, including Lynn Nottage's CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY, Lynda Barry's THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME, Wendy Kesselman's THE NOTEBOOK, Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH, and Paul Weitz's PRIVILEGE.

The ten chosen scribes are Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Zakiyyah Alexander, J. Holtham, Rajiv Joseph, Sandra Tsing Loh, Lynn Nottage, Sung Rno, Betty Shamieh, Cheryl L. West and Tracey Scott Wilson.

To read daily accounts of what is happening at the Second Stage Theatre New Works Festival click here .