The contest is presented in association with the forthcoming release of the 200-page book "The Play That Changed My Life: America's Foremost Playwrights on the Plays that Influenced Them," in which 19 playwrights discuss the stage works that formed them, personally and professionally. Among those interviewed are Jon Robin Baitz, Nilo Cruz, Christopher Durang, Horton Foote, Lynn Nottage, Suzan-Lori Parks and John Patrick Shanley.
Your story doesn't have to be your first big Broadway show. ATW explains that the influential work can be anything from a school production, community theatre, a regional gem or even something from the Great White Way. The winner of the contest will receive an autographed copy of "The Play That Changed My Life."
Adjudicating the essays will be playwright David Henry Hwang, R&H Organization president and ATW board chairman Ted Chapin, Applause Books editorial director Carol Flannery and former Time Magazine arts editor Janice Simpson.
The contest runs from Nov. 2-Dec. 11. To enter, visit AmericanTheatreWing.org.