INDEPENDENCE, KANS.: The William Inge Theatre Festival has named playwright Kara Lee Corthron the recipient of the 2019 Otis Guernsey New Voices in the American Theatre Award. The prize is named in honor of Guernsey, late theatre critic and scholar, and recognizes substantial early contributions to the American theatre.
“We’re thrilled to recognize Kara’s astute, nuanced, and unflinching voice, which is critical for our time,” said Hannah Joyce-Hoven, producing director of William Inge Center for the Arts, in a statement. “It is fitting that we recognize this significant voice through the New Voices Award.”
Corthron will be presented with the award at the 38th annual Inge Festival, May 22-25, at Independence Community College. Corthron’s new play What Are You Worth? will be presented as a reading during the festival, which will feature performances and workshops.
Corthron is a New York City-based playwright, author of young adult novels, and writer for television. Her works include Fear City, Listen for the Light, and AliceGraceAnon, among others. Her plays have been produced at KC Rep, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and New Georges. She currently writes for the Netflix drama “You,” and her young adult novels include The Truth of Right Now from Simon & Schuster/Simon Puls, and the forthcoming Daughters of Jubilation. She’s won the Vineyard Theatre’s Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Princess Grace Award, Lincoln Center’s Lecomte du Nouy Prize (three-time recipient), and numerous other honors and fellowships. Corthron is an alumna of Julliard.
The festival will also honor Octavio Solis, who will receive the William Inge Festival’s Distinguished Achievement in the American Theater Award. The Tribute ceremony for Solis will be created and directed by Chuma Gault.
