NEW YORK CITY: The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has selected six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, which recognizes a playwright for a work that premiered professionally outside of New York City during 2015.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to experience the work of these theatre artists and to passionately debate with such learned colleagues,” said committee chair Lou Harry in a statement. “These are six plays the American theatre can take great pride in—plays that deserve long lives and multiple productions.”
The finalists are Bloomsday by Steven Dietz, Clarkston by Samuel D. Hunter, The Dangerous House of Pretty Mbane by Jen Silverman, Mississippi Goddamn by Jonathan Norton, Sweat by Lynn Nottage, and Vietgone by Qui Nguyen.
Founded in 1977, the award honors new plays that have been produced in resident theatres outside of New York City, and any productions that have gone to New York during the award season are ineligible. The top award of $25,000 and two citations of $7,500, supported by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, will be presented to the winners at Actors Theatre of Louisville on April 9.
The finalists were selected from eligible scripts recommended by ATCA members from around the country, and evaluated by a group of theatre critics led by Harry.
