The prizes are given "to emerging writers of exceptional talent and promise." She was the only playwright honored this year. Each receipient is given $40,000. Groff, who is also a performer, is the author of Jimmy Carter Was a Democrat, The Moliere Impromptu, Orange Lemon Egg Canary, What Then, Inky, Seven Supermans, and The Five Hysterical Girls Theorem. Her plays have been seen at Trinity Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Women's Project, P.S. 122, Clubbed Thumb, Target Margin, and Andy's Summer Playhouse.
Winners of the Whiting Awards are chosen by a small anonymous selection committee of recognized writers, literary scholars, and editors, appointed annually by the Whiting Foundation. Past winners include Evan Smith, Melissa James Gibson, Tony Kushner and Sarah Ruhl.