Announcing the third annual WGAE Showrunner Academy
The Showrunner Academy is an industry training program designed to support supervising producers, executive producers, and new show creators in honing the skills necessary to become successful showrunners and leaders in today’s television industry. The training program will provide invaluable instruction from current showrunners and other industry professionals on such topics as hiring; understanding the MBA; prioritizing equity and inclusion; fostering a functional workplace culture; and managing relationships with writers, executives, actors; and more.
Diana Son (AMERICAN CRIME, 13 REASONS WHY) is returning as co-emcee alongside Laura Eason (THREE WOMEN, HOUSE OF CARDS). These two experienced showrunners will lead the program alongside dozens of guest speakers with a variety of specialties.
2025 Program Timeline & Application Criteria
The third annual academy will begin in Fall 2025 with a cohort of no more than 30 participants and will be hosted virtually.
Participants should expect to meet twice weekly – on Wednesday evenings between 6PM and 9PM ET and on Saturday mornings between 10AM and 12PM ET – for the duration of the 8-week program.
The program is open to all WGAE members, regardless of where they are currently based. Applicants should meet one or more of the eligibility requirements to be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
- Writers who have extensive experience in television writers’ rooms, with preference given to those who have served in some managerial capacity in those rooms.
- Writers who have any of the following credits:
- Executive Producer
- Co-Executive Producer
- Supervising Producer
- Producer
- Co-Producer
- Writers who have “created by” credits in television, who have not yet been hired as a showrunner.
- Writers who have pilots currently in active development.
Applications will be reviewed by WGAE staff and vetted using the above eligibility requirements and recommendations to make the final cohort selection. We hope to arrive at a diverse cohort that represents a variety of genres, experiences, backgrounds, and identities.
Applications are due Monday, July 28th, 2025 by 5PM EST.