NYC Gazette

Krista Williams, the playwrights program manager at Juilliard, recently shared her experiences and insights into dramaturgy and literary management with Annie Abramczyk, artistic programs assistant of the Drama Division. Williams, who joined Juilliard last year, has a rich background in theater, having worked at The Lark for a decade where she developed plays with over 100 playwrights. Many of these playwrights have been nominated for Tonys, won Pulitzers, received MacArthur Fellowships, and seen their work produced on Broadway and internationally.

Williams is also involved in television and film projects as a story consultant and has served as literary manager for Off-Broadway company Transport Group and as a literary associate for Yale Repertory Theatre. Her extensive experience includes collaborations with New Dramatists, OSF’s Play On! series, New Georges, Next Chapter Podcasts, Page 73, Invisible Dog, Dixon Place, TCG, Denver Center Theatre’s New Play Summit, Hedgebrook, and SPACE on Ryder Farm. Additionally, she has participated in artEquity's facilitator training and has lectured at Hunter College and the New School—School of Drama. She is part of the summer theater faculty at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Reflecting on her journey into dramaturgy and literary management Williams stated: "I realized that most of my favorite people were playwrights... Playwrights privately write literature that will outlive them... That’s the challenge that has my attention: that transition between (and duality of) solitary and communal work." She expressed gratitude towards working with Evan Yionoulis [Richard Rodgers dean], David Lindsay-Abaire (Playwrights ’98), and Tanya Barfield (Playwrights ’02).

Regarding her decision to join Juilliard Williams mentioned: "Before arriving I had already worked with almost a quarter of all the alumni from the playwriting program... Juilliard’s reputation is unmatched in the field." She finds joy in class days when new plays are shared: "When a new play is shared I feel like a kid on Christmas."

Williams also expressed her desire to maintain connections with playwriting alumni noting recent gatherings like one honoring Marsha Norman as akin to witnessing "a family reunion across generations."

Annie Abramczyk serves as the Drama Division’s artistic programs assistant.

A version of this article appeared in the drama alumni newsletter.