CMU School of Drama


Monday, November 05, 2012

Sundance Institute Announces New Award

backstage.com: The Sundance Institute has created the Tennessee Williams Award, a prize designed to honor the work of new playwrights that have passed through Sundance’s Theatre Lab.

3 comments:

AbigailNover said...

This is great! Anything to raise more awareness regarding new playwrights! It is so infrequently that I hear about new playwrights. I'm glad that this is through Sundance, since people really revere and pay attention. I'd like to see more visibility of new playwrights and new works in general.

JamilaCobham said...

I agree Abigail, you hardly hear anything about new playwrights. I think that this is a fantastic initiative and I love that it is called the Tennessee Williams Award.

I also wish that they would have gone a step further and not just award them, but give them funds to actually put up their show. Or at least give them a team who will be willing to produce their work. I guess being awarded raises awareness of the playwright and their work and would attract producers, directors and companies especially hearing Sundance; but I guess while reading I just thought that somewhere they were going to produce it also or give them funding.
Regardless this is a wonderful initiative.

Devrie Guerrero said...

I completely agree with Jamilia. It would have been wonderful for Sundance to go a step further and given the playwright a way to get their work out there. It would be great for Sundance to partner with a production company. Could be great for everyone involved. Although the notoriety still does look good on a resume and is a great starting point.