The award will be presented to Corthron June 17 at a luncheon at New York's National Arts Club with the award's namesake, playwright Vogel, in attendance. The honor — previously bestowed upon Tarell Alvin McCraney and Rajiv Joseph — is presented to "an emerging playwright of exceptional promise," according to the award announcement. The winner receives a cash prize, artistic development support and a staged reading of his or her work at the Vineyard.

Corthron's plays include Holly Down In Heaven, Etched in Skin on A Sunless Night and she is currently working on commissions from South Coast Rep, Naked Angels, New Georges and EST/Sloan. She was also a staff writer for the NBC drama, "Kings." The playwright is the sister of fellow playwright Kia Corthron (A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick, Light Raise the Roof, Force Continuum).

"We are delighted to announce Kara Lee Corthton as this year's Paula Vogel Award winner. Kara is a young playwright of prodigious talent - witty, imaginative, with a distinctive voice all her own," stated Vineyard Theater artistic director Douglas Aibel and associate artistic director Sarah Stern. "Her plays evince a truly empathetic writer, who approaches her characters with grace, charm, and a bittersweet and touching sensibility. We had the pleasure of working with Kara on a workshop last season and look forward to continuing to support her process at this stage of her work and career. Like her predecessors in this award - Tarell Alvin McCraney and Rajiv Joseph - she is a most promising new writer for the American theatre."

The Vineyard is located at 108 East 15 St. For more information, visit vineyardtheatre.org.