Fifteen American theatre companies have been chosen to nominate candidates for the National Arts Club's 2001 Kesselring Prize nominations. This year's committee features three returning theatres from last year — the Steppenwolf, La Jolla Playhouse and Actors Theatre of Louisville, as well as new theatres from across the country.

Those nominating are:

Perseverance Theatre (Douglas, AK)
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago, IL)
La Jolla Playhouse (CA)
McCarter Theatre (Princeton, NJ)
Berkeley Repertory (CA)
Seattle Repertory Theatre (Seattle, WA) Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis, MN)
Dallas Theatre Center (TX)
People's Light and Theatre Company (Malverne, PA)
Wilma Theatre (Philadelphia, PA)
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, OR)
Williamstown Theatre Festival (MA)
Actors Theatre of Louisville (KY)
South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa, CA)
Denver Theater Center (CO)

Named for Arsenic and Old Lace playwright, Joseph Kesselring, the Prize was first awarded in 1980 to the playwright who shows the most promise but has not received national recognition. Along with the honor of being named, Kesselring winners also receive a $10,000 cash award. The honorable mention receives $2,500. The winner will be announced in November, according to award spokespersons at Shirley Herz Associates.

2000's Kesselring winner was David Auburn, recognized also with a Pulitzer Prize for Proof. Past winners have included Nicky Silver, Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Jose Rivera and Marion McClinton. -- By Christine Ehren