Curry simmering in the kitchen, a guitar strumming down the hall, World Cup on the television, the quiet tapping of keys on a laptop, impromptu concerts on the porch, papier mache, laughter, singing, conversation, debate and a giant puppet named Emmett Jones. These are just some of the memories we have of the first week of New Writers. New Plays., an idea we planted in the still of winter that has now blossomed into reality along with the roses of Edgartown’s picket fences.

Sitting across from one another in our office at Vineyard Arts Project, where our actors, directors and playwrights are living and working during their residency, the two questions we find ourselves frequently asking are “Is everything okay?” and “What do you need?” The answers we get range from “Everything is amazing. Thank you so much!” to “I need some chicken wire to make a mask. Do you know where we could get some chicken wire?” The energy around us is joyous, creative and spontaneous. Artists are constantly passing through, scripts in hand, talking on cell phones with directors who are yet to arrive, eating snacks from Morning Glory Farm and downing coffee from Espresso Love, contemplating late afternoon swims at the beach before evening rehearsals. It is everything we could have hoped for and more.

The idea to unite ArtFarm and Vineyard Arts Project was only born a year ago, over lunch at a New York bistro; our collaborative discussion progressed as we were both looking to expand our programming, embrace new producing methods, and think outside of the box in terms of creating and sharing art within our Island community. And now as we begin to compile the guest list for the readings that will take place this weekend, it is exciting to acknowledge the fact this is all actually happening. New Writers, New Plays allows the artists to do what they do best: write, rehearse and perform, paving way for a festival of readings of new plays by emerging playwrights. It is a pay what you can event, because we believe that theatre is for everyone.

Brooke Hardman is artistic director of ArtFarm and Ashley Melone is executive producer of Vineyard Arts Project. They are coproducing New Writers, New Plays, a festival of new works by emerging playwrights with performances July 1 to 3 at Vineyard Arts Project, 215 Upper Main street in Edgartown.