NU-Q Professor selected for prestigious fellowship in Chicago

A Chicago theater that focuses on nurturing playwrights and developing new plays has selected an NU-Q professor as one of its five new resident playwrights. Susan H. Pak, assistant professor in residence, will spend the semester with Chicago Dramatists as a resident playwright.

Since joining Northwestern University in Qatar, Pak has taught screenwriting and playwriting with an emphasis on character development and structure. She also teaches students how to implement sound design, editing, and visual design to enhance a story.

“Professor Pak’s residency is a reflection of her success as both a playwright and a professor. Her plays have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and she has been active at NU-Q mentoring students in university productions,” said Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO.

Chicago Dramatists has been an artistic home to more than 120 resident playwrights. It works with playwrights in developing new plays through a series of workshops, classes, readings, and critiques to writers. During Pak’s residency she will have the opportunity to craft new content, and hone in on her writing and creativity skills.

"I'm so excited to be taking part in the Chicago Dramatists Playwrights Residency.  They offer tremendous resources for playwrights, including public and private readings, workshop and rehearsal space, casting and talent coordination, as well as dramaturgical support and advocacy for the playwright's work,” said Pak.

Pak is currently revising a scene from her play "Marabar," which will be included in a showcase of work by Resident Playwrights.  

Pak received her MFA in writing for the screen and stage at Northwestern University and a BA and a JD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.