47TH BAY AREA PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
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IN PERSON SEPTEMBER 18–27, 2026
THE RUEFF, A.C.T.’S STRAND THEATER
ON DEMAND OCTOBER 19-25, 2026
The hybrid 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival (BAPF47) welcomes four transformative playwrights who take us on a journey through inner and outer worlds, traversing time and space to REVIVE long-silenced voices, RESIST the forces that seek to oppress, and RENEW strength, healing, connection, and the power to create change.
BAPF47 COHORT AND PLAYS
HOWLING: A FAIRY TALE by Jordan Bird
THE NEGROES HAVE RISEN by Maxine Dillon
SUICIDE COWBOYS by Greg T. Nanni
BY THE BANKS by christina michelle watkins
Learn more about our BAPF47 playwrights and plays on our
BAPF47 Festival Page
Stay tuned – tickets on sale in June!
Sam says…
“I had an amazing experience at BAPF and feel like I’m in a different place as a writer.”
-Sam Hamashima (them+), BAPF2021
Noelle says…
“One of the first orgs in San Francisco to invest and believe in me as a writer.
I ask you to support them because they helped me get to where I am today.”
-Noelle Viñas (she/her), RPI 2017-19, BAPF2020
Miyoko says…
“Consider supporting this amazing organization if you can!
Working with Playwrights Foundation was one of the best experiences of my playwriting life.”
– Miyoko Conley (she/her), BAPF2021
Highlights from our Alumni:
Bravo to David Henry Hwang (Yellow Face) and Jonathan Spector (Eureka Day) on their Tony nominations for Best Revival of a Play!
Both Yellow Face and Eureka Day were honored as nominees among this year’s top theatrical revivals at the 77th Annual Tony Awards live on June 16, 2025.
We’re so proud of Jonathan Spector (an alum of both our core programs, RPP and BAPF) for his win!
Congratulations to Naomi Iizuka on receiving the 2024-2025 Hermitage Award!
Congratulations to Naomi Iizuka (she/her, BAPF1998) on receiving the 2024-2025 Hermitage Award! The prize offers one of the largest unrestricted nonprofit theatre commissions in the United States. Naomi will receive a cash prize of $35,000, a residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida, and a developmental workshop in a major arts capital—which for this commission is anticipated to be Chicago in late 2026. Read more on playbill.com.
Congratulations to Madhuri Shekar on the theatrical release of A Nice Indian Boy based on her film.
A Nice Indian Boy follows Naveen (Karan Soni), who brings his fiancé Jay (Jonathan Groff) home to meet his traditional Indian family, who must contend with accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend and helping them plan the Indian wedding of their dreams. You can watch A Nice Indian Boy on digital platforms starting May 6, 2025. Learn more.