NOVA is Northern Sky’s next-generation new works development and incubation initiative
Lachrisa Grandberry named as director of Northern Sky’s NOVA Initiative
A fan favorite, audiences in Door County have come to know Lachrisa Grandberry over her past five seasons with Northern Sky as a performer, playwright, and composer. Starting this year, Grandberry will add ‘program director’ to her list of roles as she will lead the organization’s newly-formed NOVA Initiative.
What is NOVA? NOVA stands for Nurturing Original Voices and Artists. It is Northern Sky Theater’s next-generation new works development and incubation initiative. The goal of NOVA is to foster, nurture, and expand creative opportunities for alumni, BIPOC, and emerging writers in Northern Sky’s development process.
“The Nova Initiative is a reflection of what Northern Sky has always been,” said Grandberry. “In my time working on Sunflowered, I learned so much in the writing process and could not have done it without the hands-on support of the leadership staff. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert, but I do have knowledge and resources to further this part of Northern Sky’s Mission. I’m excited to pay it forward and be more intimately involved with my theater home. Even more, I’m excited about the infinite possibilities that’ll come as we continue to make space for next generation storytellers.”
Elements of NOVA include: Writing Circle, explorative writing workshops; The Nesting Place, a writer to writer mentorship program; and Pot of Luck, a writer’s retreat festival. In addition to advancing these elements, Grandberry will also serve on Northern Sky’s IDEAS Task Force (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Solutions) and will support Northern Sky’s marketing efforts to reach new audiences.
“When Lachrisa joined us in the summer of 2018, she didn’t just embrace Northern Sky, she embraced Door County,” said associate artistic director Molly Rhode. “Lachrisa’s commitment to storytelling here in the peninsula has enriched the creative fabric of our company. We are overjoyed that she’ll be lending her leadership skills to our team as we look to Northern Sky’s future.”
Lachrisa was also recently named one of Wisconsin’s 52 Most Influential Black Leaders! Anyone who’s met Lachrisa knows that her influence is palpable. We feel extremely lucky that she’s chosen to spend so much of her time in Door County, benefiting from her influence right here. Congratulations to this most deserving human!
To learn more about The NOVA Initiative or participate in upcoming programing, please reach out to lachrisa@northernskytheater.com.
Register for Upcoming Events
WORKSHOPS:
🎯 Pitch, Submit, Repeat: A Workshop on Sharing Your Work
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 6:00–8:00pm CST
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Description:
It’s time to get your play out into the world. This practical workshop helps playwrights craft compelling loglines, synopses, and artist statements, while learning how to find and approach opportunities with confidence. Participants will leave with outlines for tangible submission materials and strategies for submitting sustainably, without losing their creative spark.
🌿 The Writer’s Reset: Exploring Your Creative Possibilities
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Time: 6:00–8:00pm CST
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Description:
A guided reflection and planning workshop designed to help you realign with your creative purpose and sharpen your artistic habits. Through conversation, prompts, and practical exercises, you’ll explore new possibilities for your writing life and prepare to enter the new year with clarity, confidence, and a plan that supports your voice.
WRITING CIRCLES:
✍🏽 The Home Stretch: A 5-Week Writing Circle for Playwrights
Dates: Mondays, November 17 – December 15, 2025
Time: 9:00–10:30am CST
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Description:
A developmental space for playwrights ready to pull their story together and cross the finish line. Over five weeks, writers will recommit to completion; clarifying their play’s emotional core, refining structure, and tightening dialogue. Each session offers accountability, guided discussion, and tools to help you rebuild, refine, and finally call your draft “done.”