The Writers Guild of America East has announced the latest cohort to complete its 2026 Support Staff Basic Training program, a virtual initiative aimed at empowering underrepresented emerging writers to secure entry-level roles in television.
The intensive bootcamp offers two specialized tracks: writers’ assistant and script coordinator, each tailored to equip participants with industry-specific skills.
Writers’ assistant track graduates include Adriana Kyncl, Alia Carita Tompkins, Andrea Fernandez Henao, Caroline Fanelli, Charu Sinha, Connor Smith, JoAnna “J.” Izon, Krysana Maragh, Marisa Arohi, Sam Shane, Shadé Quintanilla, and V Marks.
Script coordinator track graduates are Alexandra Bianco, Becca Carter Freeman, Cynthia He, Emma Fiske-Dobell, Kenny Beckford, Olivia Olsher, Ridley Randolph, Roxanne Lim, Savannah Summerlin, Suzanne Griffin, and Sydney Giacomazzi.
The 2026 program was produced by P-Valley co-executive producer Ian Olympio and led by staff writers Sheli Paige Frank (P-Valley) and Matthew K Begbie (Elsbeth), professionals who advanced through television writing ranks themselves.
Participants engaged in roundtables, lectures, independent assignments, and interactive workshops, with curriculum designed to align with the distinct responsibilities of each track.
The writers’ assistant track emphasized note-taking, script editing, and research during writers’ room sessions, while the script coordinator track focused on document formatting, proofreading, and continuity management for television productions.
The program prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and writers over 40 years old based in the eastern U.S., including Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and New York. Applicants must have no prior experience as writers’ assistants or script coordinators on scripted television series.