The Prize

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, established in 1978, is given annually to a woman who deserves recognition for having written a work of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre.  The Prize is administered in Houston, London and New York by a board of directors who choose six judges each year, three in the United States and three in Britain.  The presentation ceremonies, which honor all finalists, are held in London, New York or Houston.

The Prize currently awards $35,000 annually to the Finalists.  The Winner is given $20,000, and also receives a signed and numbered Willem de Kooning print made especially for the award.  A Special Commendation of $5,000 may be given at the discretion of the Judges.  Each of the other Finalists receives $1,000.

Plays are received in September, and the award ceremonies are held in February or March.  Each year prominent professionals in the theatre throughout the English-speaking world are invited to submit plays.  Plays must be full-length.  A play is accepted whether or not it has been produced, but any first production must have occurred within the preceding twelve months.  Each script is read by at least two members of an international reading committee in order to select ten to twelve finalists.  All final nominations are read by all six judges.  Previous winners are not eligible.

Our permanent list of finalists has become an important resource for theatres interested in new work.  As a direct result of being finalists, many playwrights have received productions, grants and public recognition.  The Prize has motivated women to write for the theatre, and has also fostered the interchange of plays between the United States and Britain, Ireland and other English-speaking countries.  It has anticipated later recognition; six finalists have subsequently won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.  The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is now firmly established as a highly-regarded international competition. There is every indication that it will continue to grow.