Set within a medieval village in Tuscany and surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val d’Orcia, the writers’ residency Substratum is a new home for artists where their imagination can blossom, and boundless creativity is encouraged. Sponsored by Gucci, the retreat was inaugurated by award-winning writer, actor and producer Jeremy O. Harris. He invited five upcoming playwrights to join him for a month of writing, pasta-making, and workshops.

Jeremy O. Harris is best known for his award-winning Broadway plays Slave Play and Daddy. He was named as Yale University’s youngest residing president of the Yale Drama Prize. He also works on TV projects, notably as co-producer of the hit series Euphoria.

The residency’s attendees:

Rianna Simons is a Bermudian-British playwright who writes comedy and satire on issues of race and difference. White Girls Gang is her first play.

Asa Haynes is an actor turned prolific writer from London. His play is titled RACISM: an unfocused theater essay.

DJ Hills is a cross-genre writer, working in the intersections of poetry, prose, and performance. They joined the residency with the play Trunk Brief Jock Thong.

Chloe Myerson is a British writer for TV, theatre, film and radio. She was shortlisted for the residency with her play titled CLASS.

Raffaella Donatich is a writer and performer based in New York City. Her pilot Sex Act landed her a spot in the residency.