Board of Directors

Playwrights Project seeks community members passionate about theatre, education, justice, and community-building to join our Board of Directors. Board members champion our programs, offer expertise and connections, and help guide our work in schools, correctional facilities, community centers and theatres across San Diego.

OUR MISSION and VISION: Playwrights Project empowers people of all ages and backgrounds to voice stories through theatre, inspiring individual growth and creating meaningful community connections. Our vision is to sustain an inclusive, compassionate community that broadens minds through the power of creativity and theatre.

Playwrights Project champions equity, inclusion and anti-racist practices and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, disability or any other factor protected by law.

OUR BACKGROUND: Deborah Salzer founded Playwrights Project in 1985 and enlisted renowned playwright Edward Albee to serve as Artistic Advisor for 20 years. Playwrights Project has earned its exceptional reputation in arts education through 41 years of dynamic and transformational playwriting programs for youth and its highly regarded Plays by Young Writers festival, which has launched the careers of many successful writers and playwrights. In 2007, Executive Director Cecelia Kouma expanded community programs, offering inclusive, accessible arts engagement to diverse communities across the region including the well-known Out of the Yard program bringing playwriting to incarcerated individuals.

WHO WE SERVE: Playwrights Project programs reach over 6,000 people annually, serving youth in San Diego schools and underserved populations of all ages, including those who have experienced poverty, homelessness, foster care, immigration, substance use disorder, the justice system, and the military.

The Board of Directors is central to the stability and future of Playwrights Project. The ideal Board of Directors is comprised of an active, participating group of individuals with:

• Passion for our mission: A deep belief in Playwrights Project’s purpose and programs.
• Value for lifelong learning: Commitment to personal growth and the transformative power of arts education.
• Diverse skills and experiences: A broad range of professional backgrounds that strengthen board decision-making.
• Programmatic, philanthropic, legal, financial, or business expertise: Knowledge that supports governance, fundraising, and organizational sustainability.
• Representation from diverse communities: Including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with lived experience aligned with the populations we serve.
• Connection to our program communities: Insight into the needs of youth, justice-involved individuals, and underserved populations.

If you resonate with our mission and want to learn more about joining our board, please email aproctor@playwrightsproject.org, and tell us a little about yourself!