About Candela

The name Candela — Spanish for “candle” or “flame” — symbolizes the program's mission to light the way toward professional theater education for playwrights, book writers, and lyricists of Latin American and Caribbean heritage over the age of 21. More than light, candela evokes heat, spirit, transformation, and creative magic in poetry and song.
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The Candela Playwrights Summer Fellowship is a free, New York City-based program dedicated to empowering book writers, lyricists, poets, and playwrights of Latin American and Caribbean descent, both from the United States and across the globe, working in musical theater, choreopoems, and hybrid forms.

Founded by writer, director, and college professor Darrel Alejandro Holnes, Candela exists to ignite artistic self-determination — supporting dramatists in shaping their own careers and expanding access to the heart of the American theater industry. Since 2024, multi-hyphenate theatre artist and college professor Daphnie Sicre, joined the staff as the program co-director.

Candela offers an intensive and holistic experience that includes:

  • Writing workshops and craft talks led by celebrated theater artists
  • Seminars on the business of playwriting and producing new work
  • Theater history lectures rooted in diasporic and global perspectives
  • Panels with industry leaders—producers, directors, agents, and more
  • Showcasing opportunities for new work
  • Networking and mentorship with award-winning professionals
  • Access to Broadway and Off-Broadway performances
  • Visits to institutions like the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

To ensure access and equity, financial aid is available to help cover the cost of flights and accommodations for fellows traveling to New York. Candela also combats food insecurity by providing daily breakfasts, lunches, and select dinners throughout the program.

Candela is proudly international. The fellowship has welcomed artists representing over 26 countries and supported work in more than six languages, cultivating a multilingual, cross-cultural community of bold and visionary theatermakers. Fellows gain direct access to some of the most influential voices in contemporary theater — including artists whose work has been recognized with Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, Obies, and other major honors.

“I created Candela to pass the torch — to light the path for writers from our communities,” says Holnes. “We’re here to ensure that the best and brightest voices are seen, heard, and supported — regardless of borders, language, or background. This is access. This is legacy. This is candela.”

Our sponsors are or have included the following: the Brooklyn Arts Council; New York City University; Medgar Evers College; Dramatists Guild Foundation; Dramatists Guild of America; the Howard Gilman Foundation; Jacob’s Pickles; Latinx Theater Commons; New York City Center; New York Liberal Studies; New York Theater Workshop; New York University’s Center for Latin America and Caribbean Studies; New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study; New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Musical Theater Program; Repertorio Español; Robleswrites Productions; Signature Theatre; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and The Sol Project.

Meet our Administrators/

Leadership

Founded by writer-director and professor Darrel Alejandro Holnes and co-directed by scholar-director Dr. Daphnie Sicre, Candela lights the path toward higher-level training for theater writers of Latin American and Caribbean heritage.

Prof. Darrel Alejandro Holnes (he/they)

Darrel Alejandro Holnes is an Afro-Panamanian American writer, director, and producer who works as an Associate Professor at Medgar Evers College, a City University of New York. Holnes is also a faculty member at the CUNY Grad Center and New York University. Holnes is the author of Stepmotherland, the winner of the Andres Montoya Poetry Prize and the International Latino Book Award in Poetry, and his book Migrant Psalms is the winner of the Drinking Gourd Poetry Prize. His play, Black Feminist Video Game, was produced by The Civilians for 59E59 Theaters, Center Theater Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and elsewhere. It won an inaugural Anthem Award from The Webbys. His play Bayano received a workshop production at the National Black Theater and will receive its world premiere at True Colors Theater in Atlanta. His play Bird of Prey was just recorded for the Parsnip Ship podcast at JACK. His short film Marimacha had its New York premiere at the New York Latino Film Festival and has been screened at over two dozen festivals worldwide. It was also screened at the Latinx Theater Commons Comedy Carnaval. The film has won several awards, including Best of the Fest at Pride Film Fest, Best LGBT Short at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, Best LGBT+ Short Film from the Sierra International Film Weekend, and Festival Favorite, as well as the Director’s Choice Award from Cinema Diverse.
Founder and Program Director

Prof. Daphnie Sirce
(She/her)

Daphnie Sicre is a bilingual multi-hyphenated artist. She is a director – dramaturge – scholar – educator – and consultant who shares a deep passion for Black and Latinx perspectives in theatre, especially AfroLatinidad. Engaging in anti-racist and culturally competent theatre practices, she helps bring stories from the page to the stage. She is also a scholar, having multiple book chapters, journal articles, and news articles. When she is not professionally serving as a director or dramaturg, she can be found conducting workshops, teaching, writing, or researching Black and Latine theatre and representation. Dr. Sicre is interested in using theatre to promote social change and bring conversations on hard topics. She always looks for new works, collaborations, and ways to diversify theatre. Equity, diversity, and inclusion, encompassing diverse identities and experiences, are inseparable from her daily practice, and she strives to create a brave, creative environment through consent-based, anti-racist, and disability-inclusive theatre practices. She firmly believes theatre can play a transformative role in shaping diverse perspectives and fostering critical thinking. Born in Ecuador to Peruvian and Spanish parents, she adamantly works to uplift underrepresented voices to the forefront of the American theatre.
Program Co-Director
Reasons why we’re best

Benefits

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Candela’s Summer Playwrights Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity for book writers, lyricists, poets, and playwrights of Latin American and Caribbean heritage to learn from the industry's best and develop their craft in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Our faculty includes Pulitzer Prize recipients, Tony Award – winning artists, and leading voices in Broadway and Off-Broadway theater. Participation is tuition-free for all Fellows and financial aid is available for those needing additional support.
Join a dynamic community of Latin American and Caribbean theatermakers, supported by leading institutions including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City Center, and more!
Fellows benefit from ongoing professional development, including access to major theater institutions and Broadway productions through curated events, industry conversations, and strategic partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Playwrights and musical theater writers with heritage in Latin American and Caribbean from anywhere in the world, over the age of 21. 

The program is free to participants thanks to donations and sponsorships. 

The summer program runs for one week in July every summer, held at the Dramatists Guild of America and other locations across New York, NY. 

Fellows work with esteemed faculty including Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights and musical theater writers; they attend seminars, workshops, craft talks, panels, and shows. They also have the opportunity to share work through our showcase.

A limited amount of financial aid is provided by private individuals, the Latinx Theater Commons, and other sponsors based on need. The program provides breakfast and lunch for participants and one to two dinners to help address food insecurity.

Click below to view the 2026 application

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Candela© copyright 2024.