Deadline: May 31, 2021
Established in 2020, Theater J’s New Jewish Play Prizes recognize extraordinary new writing that celebrates, explores, or struggles with the complexities and nuances of the Jewish experience from established and emerging playwrights. Created in memory of two longtime Theater J supporters and leaders, the annual prizes both inspire and celebrate the continuation and development of the Jewish theatrical tradition in the United States.
We encourage plays which authentically represent characters and experiences of racially and ethnically diverse Jews, as well as explore the historic and present-day intersections of white Jews and Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color.
Before submitting, please be sure to read all of the FAQs to ensure that your submission meets the eligibility criteria and follows all submission guidelines.
Established in 2020, Theater J’s New Jewish Play Prizes recognize extraordinary new writing that celebrates, explores, or struggles with the complexities and nuances of the Jewish experience from established and emerging playwrights. Created in memory of two longtime Theater J supporters and leaders, the annual prizes both inspire and celebrate the continuation and development of the Jewish theatrical tradition in the United States.
We encourage plays which authentically represent characters and experiences of racially and ethnically diverse Jews, as well as explore the historic and present-day intersections of white Jews and Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color.
Before submitting, please be sure to read all of the FAQs to ensure that your submission meets the eligibility criteria and follows all submission guidelines.
If your submission fails to comply with these requirements, we will not be able to read it.
The Theater J Patty Abramson Prize
The Theater J Patty Abramson Jewish Play Prize will award $3,000 and a stage reading to a promising emerging woman playwright in honor of a new play that celebrates, explores, and/or struggles with the complexities and nuances of the Jewish experience.
The Prize is dedicated to the memory of philanthropist and venture capitalist Patty Abramson.
Eligible playwrights must not have had more than two productions at LORT or off-Broadway theaters, including different productions of the same play, but may have been produced at other theaters. Plays must not have been produced at the time of submission, but a scheduled future professional production is not disqualifying.
The Theater J Patty Abramson Jewish Play Prize will award $3,000 and a stage reading to a promising emerging woman playwright in honor of a new play that celebrates, explores, and/or struggles with the complexities and nuances of the Jewish experience.
The Prize is dedicated to the memory of philanthropist and venture capitalist Patty Abramson.
Eligible playwrights must not have had more than two productions at LORT or off-Broadway theaters, including different productions of the same play, but may have been produced at other theaters. Plays must not have been produced at the time of submission, but a scheduled future professional production is not disqualifying.
The Theater J Trish Vradenburg Established Playwright Prize
The Theater J Trish Vradenburg Jewish Play Prize will award $15,000 to an established playwright in honor of a new play that celebrates, explores, and/or struggles with the complexities and nuances of the Jewish experience.
The Prize is dedicated to the memory of philanthropist, playwright, and Alzheimer’s research advocate Trish Vradenburg, who served on Theater J’s Council for 13 years.
Plays must be submitted by a theatrical agent or artistic staff members of a professional theater company. We expect established playwrights to have had productions of their plays on Broadway, at major off-Broadway theaters, and/or at multiple LORT theaters, or other markers of attaining significant accomplishments and/or national attention as a playwright. Unproduced plays are eligible, as are plays professionally produced after July 2018 or currently scheduled for an NYC premiere.