Emilie “Mimi” Kilgore
1935-2022

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is saddened to announce the death of our beloved Chairman Emeritus and co-founder of the Prize, Emilie “Mimi” Kilgore. Mimi was an extraordinary woman of great vision, intelligence, grace and generosity. After the untimely death of her sister Susan, Mimi co-founded (with Susan’s husband Bill) the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, which has become the largest and oldest international playwriting prize for women+ writing for the English-speaking theatre. She worked tirelessly for over 40 years to create the force that the Prize has become, changing the theatrical landscape forever. Thank you, Mimi.

Full Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/emilie-kilgore-obituary?id=38229188

Donations in honor of Mimi may be made through the Donate page or via check to:
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, P. O. Box 22953, Houston, TX 77227.

2021-2022 Finalists:
Top row: Amanda Wilkin, Chiara Atik, Benedict Lombe, Daniella De Jesús, & Lauren Whitehead
Bottom row: Kae Tempest, Sonya Kelly, Zora Howard, Joanna Murray-Smith, & Sarah Hanly