The new initiative was created by Golden Thread Productions in San Francisco, the Lark Play Development Center in New York, and Chicago's Silk Road Theatre Project, who co-ventured to form Middle East America: A National New Plays Initiative.

The $10,000 commission from MEA allows Sevan to pen a new play that will receive developmental support from the Lark as well as possible productions at Golden Thread and Silk Road.

Middle East America has also honored playwrights Leila Buck and Sinan Unel with a $1,000 Middle East America Special Jury Prize.

"Our nation's energy and innovation has often sprung from immigrant's stories and global perspectives, and this commission represents a new path for cultural institutions learning to collaborate on building new repertoire that more accurately mirrors and celebrates America's ever-evolving cultural landscape," said Lark producing director John Clinton Eisner in a statement.

Sevan's one-woman show Taking Flight has been workshopped and performed at The Goodman Theatre, Center Theatre Group, San Diego Repertory, South Coast Repertory and The Sundance Theatre Lab. Sevan is about to begin a nine-month playwriting residency at The Mark Taper Forum. Her work as an actress includes the film "Harvest" as well as "The Unit," "Law & Order," "Sex & the City," "Deadline," "Dellaventura" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." She has performed with South Coast Repertory, Yale Rep, Coconut Grove Playhouse, LA Theatre Works, The Public Theater, Classic Stage Company, Shakespeare & Company, ACT and HERE.

For further information on the Middle East America Initiative, visit MiddleEastAmerica.