The Vineyard Theatre has announced Kate Tarker as the ninth recipient of the Off-Broadway company’s Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, named in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, and given annually to an emerging writer of “exceptional promise.” Tarker will receive a cash prize and artistic development support throughout her residency.
Tarker’s play Laura and the Sea was featured on the 2016 Kilroys List, was an L. Arnold Weissberger Award finalist, and Princess Grace Award finalist. The new work was also featured as part of the Vineyard’s fall reading series last year.
Her work has been developed by The Lark, Ars Nova, NYTW, and The O’Neill.
Previous recipients of the award include Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Rajiv Joseph, Tarell Alvin McCraney. Boo Killebrew, Clare Barron, Christopher Chen, Erika Sheffer, and Kara Lee Corthron. The award will be presented to Tarker in June 2017 at The Vineyard’s annual Emerging Artists Luncheon.
Playwright Vogel has a long history with the Vineyard Theatre, which debuted her award-winning and acclaimed play How I Learned to Drive. Her most recent production with the Off-Broadway company was Indecent, which will open on Broadway in April.
