CHICAGO: Raven Theatre has announced a new $25,000 play development initiative to support up to three commissions over the next three years. The inaugural recipient is Tyla Abercrumbie.

“We hope to weave incredible new plays into the fabric of the American theatre through this exciting new initiative,” artistic director Cody Estle said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to have commissioned playwright Tyla Abercrumbie to kick off this initiative. She is an artist of extreme depth who tackles each project with vulnerability, grace, and humility.”

Abercrumbie, a playwright, actor, and director, will receive workshops and private or public readings of her work during the development process. Abercrumbie’s work has been produced at TimeLine Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, MPAACT, and the Chicago Cultural Center. She is a company member at TimeLine, where she received the 2016 Playwright Collective Fellowship. As an actor, Abercrumbie has appeared at Huntington Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater, among others, in addition to multiple television appearances.

Raven Theatre is a Chicago-based company that is committed to serving the community through productions and educational programming.