Waterford―Wendy C. Goldberg, the first female artistic director of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in its six decades, has left the post after 18 years.

The O’Neill announced Monday that Goldberg has stepped down from the job.

In an O’Neill press release, Goldberg stated: “The National Playwrights Conference plays such a special role in American theater, as well as my life, and it has been an honor to work with the O’Neill leadership, staff, and particularly the hundreds of talented playwrights over the last 18 years. To come in during such a moment of change and re-establish the company as a national leader will remain a highlight of my career. After nearly two decades, it's time for me to turn my attention toward many other artistic endeavors."

Reached for further comment, Goldberg said she is not giving any interviews at this time.

Under Goldberg’s leadership, the conference has supported such playwrights as Samuel D. Hunter, who won the Obie and MacArthur Award, and Jeremy O. Harris, who was nominated for a Tony.

She also founded and led the National Directors Fellowship, a joint initiative between the O’Neill, the National New Play Network, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation.

In addition to her work at the O’Neill, Goldberg is a respected director who has helmed productions around the country.

The O’Neill will now look for “a qualified interim professional to fill this position,” according to the release.

The application period for next year’s National Playwrights Conference just closed. The O’Neill’s literary office will oversee the reading of submissions by a group of more than 100 industry professionals and will also oversee the decision on which plays will move on to the final round of review. The O’Neill will then choose which six plays with be developed next summer.

Tom Viertel, who is chairman of the O’Neill board of trustees, said in a statement, “We thank Wendy for her leadership over the last 18 years, helping the O’Neill build upon the vision of (O’Neill founder) George C. White and NPC’s inaugural artistic director, Lloyd Richards, to support emerging and established playwrights in the development and staged readings of important works. We have a strong leadership team in place, led by (Executive Director) Tiffani Gavin, who will ensure this important part of the NPC process moves forward smoothly during this transition period.”

When reached by phone, Viertel declined to comment beyond that quote.

Gavin likewise said she had no additional comments to make besides her quote in the press release, which read: “Wendy’s dedication to the nation’s emerging and established playwrights over the last 18 years has been tremendous, and the guidance, expertise, and support that she has provided in developing new works have forever changed the American theatrical canon. We wish her all the best in her future pursuits. As we prepare to search for the next Artistic Director of NPC, we will take this opportunity to reflect, get input from the field, and assess the NPC’s needs in today’s changing theatrical landscape that will enable us to continue to strengthen our position as a leading force in shaping the American theater.”

Goldberg came in as National Playwrights Conference artistic director during a challenging time for the program. The conference stopped its open submission policy in late 2003, citing financial issues and not having enough staff members to handle submissions. The decision prompted an outcry from playwrights. The open submission policy was reinstated before Goldberg came on board in early 2005.

In 2004 there were two other short-lived changes: the O’Neill’s playwrights and music theater conferences were integrated, and the position of artistic director for the entire center was created.

k.dorsey@theday.com