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The New Generation Play Project was a daring experiment, unique in the history of American children's theatre. Begun in 1989 by a consortium that included the Seattle Children's Theatre, The Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis, Stage One: The Louisville Children's Theatre, and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the NGPP raised half a million dollars to commission major American dramatists to create new works for young people and to produce these plays over a several-year period.
In his introduction, Coleman Jennings describes the work of the NGPP, the accomplishments of the participating playwrights, as well some of the controversies surrounding the selection of those who do not ordinarily write for young audiences, and the critical reception of the plays. He also includes comments from the distinguished playwrights themselves regarding how their work for young people inspired, challenged, and surprised them.
