People often think of the Sundance Institute only as the group that puts together the Sundance Film Festival. But the institute's efforts to foster independent voices goes beyond the festival - and even beyond film.

This week, the Sundance Institute is convening a three-day conference on new play development in New York. The groups participating, according to Daily Variety, are focused on developing new plays - through stage readings or writing grants, for example.

Philip Himberg, artistic director of Sundance's theater program, said, "to date, no forum has existed for leaders in this area to come together." Himberg added that the institute's long-term goal with conferences like this is to encourage more new works in New York and in the country's regional theaters.

Labels: plays