Manhattan Theatre Club has named new recipients of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Initiative commissions for new works. The commissioned works will surround themes of science, math, and technology.

In the latest roster of writers, which MTC Director of Play Development Scott Kaplan calls "some of the most thrilling talent working in theatre today," is Nkenna Akunna, Preston Max Allen, Amy Berryman, Liza Birkenmeier and Zack Zadek, Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Alexa Derman, Alex Lin, Sam Grabiner, Keiko Green, Dylan Guerra, Yilong Liu, and Danielle Stagger.

“We’re delighted to partner with MTC to support the commissioning of a new, exciting suite of plays with science and technology themes and characters,” says Sloan Foundation Vice President and Program Director Doron Weber. "This year’s recipients are a diverse group of talented writers grappling with controversial scientific theories, the benefits and cost of idealism in science, and the impact of artificial intelligence."

MTC is also partnering with the American Museum of Natural History to present a live reading of excerpts from three commissions in progress, part of the MTC-Sloan program. Set for October 16 at 7 PM, the event will feature work by Dylan Guerra, Jessica Huang, and Caroline V. McGraw, with Caitling Sullivan directing. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion with the playwrights and scientists Ruth Angus, Rohit Base, Jackie Faherty, and Ross MacPhee.

Tickets for the October 16 event are available at AMNH.org.