After reading the impressive work of several candidates, The Englert Theater in Iowa City is proud to announce that they've named Darius Stewart to their second annual Englert Nonfiction Fellowship.

Stewart is a third-year MFA candidate who will graduate this spring. He also holds an MFA in poetry from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin and is the author of three poetry chapbooks, including The Ghost the Night Becomes, 2013 winner of the Gertrude Poetry Chapbook Contest. His essays and poems can be found in Fourth Genre, storySouth, Appalachian Heritage, Callaloo, and others.

“I extend my many thanks to Andre Perry and his colleagues on the Englert Committee for selecting me for the Englert Nonfiction Fellowship. In addition to forging a relationship with the Englert staff, I aim to take full advantage of this opportunity to become more engaged in the Iowa City arts community. I can’t say enough how truly honored I am for this recognition,” said Stewart of the Fellowship.

The fellowship was created to support one writer studying in the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program by providing working space close to the theater and allowing access to the arts. Stewart will receive complimentary tickets to all Englert events as well as an open seat at MERGE co-working space in downtown Iowa City.

At the conclusion of the fellowship, The Englert will feature a piece of work created by Stewart in their playbill magazine, Stages. He will also present a public reading and talk this spring (details to come) to discuss his experience.

“We are honored to continue this collaboration with the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program to support a student writer and encourage their engagement with the arts culture at-large in Iowa City,” said Englert executive director Andre Perry.

For more information, visit The Englert Theater website.

Read our 5Q Interview with Darius Stewart.