Gift to FAU Establishes the Myrna Gordon Skurnick Writing Nest at Theatre Lab

Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters recently dedicated the “Myrna Gordon Skurnick Writing Nest at Theatre Lab” and celebrated the  “Myrna Gordon Skurnick Theatre Lab Playwriting Program and Creative Writing MFA Fellows.” This new space provides a place where Skurnick fellows and writers of all ages and genres can find inspiration to write and potentially collaborate on new works for the stage.

“I’m giving these writers the opportunity they might not had otherwise, and I just wish someone had given me this type of opportunity,” said Skurnick. “I’m just hoping the chicks in my nest produce a few golden eggs.”

Skurnick’s gift gives Theatre Lab prestige as the only playwriting program in the Southeastern United States connected to an institution of higher education. It also provides fellowships for Creative Writing MFA students, who will work for and with Theatre Lab’s educational and outreach programs. Students gain experiences unavailable from other programs including presenting annual staged readings of their work, and learning directly from visiting playwrights. The resident professional theatre company, Theatre Lab at FAU, was established six years ago by Founding Creative Director and Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in the Arts Lou Tyrrell in partnership with Matt Stabile, Producing Artistic Director.

“Myrna’s generous gift enables an exciting vision that expands our potential to lead, innovate and educate in the creative and performing arts,” said Michael Horswell, dean of FAU’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. “It will fortify our foundation and transform the future for our students, faculty, programs and public audiences. The potential and possibilities are endless.”

For more information about the gift, contact Laurie Carney at lcarney@fau.edu.