John Newman has returned to service as a Playwriting Network Co-Chair for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE). He stepped down from that position to serve as Chair of the Utah Valley University Department of Theatre for three years (2019-2022), and for the last two years has focused on developing the Theatre for Youth and Education (TYE) Center which he directs at UVU. During that time, he has given less time to writing and developing his own plays, though he has continued to develop new works by other writers through UVU and AATE.

AATE held its 2024 National Conference in Chicago in July. The Playwriting Network connects writers with teachers and directors to develop and produce their work through its directories, conference sessions, Playwrights for Change contests, Playwrights In Our Schools residencies, and other programming. The Network has been gradually restarting programs that went in hiatus during the pandemic. For more information about joining the AATE Playwriting Network, see the website http://www.aate.com or contact John.Newman@uvu.edu.