The fifteen nominating theatres for the 2002 Kesselring Prize for playwrighting have been announced. Their ranks include New York City's Roundabout Theatre Company, Chicago's Goodman Theatre, Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse and San Diego's Globe Theatres.
Each year the National Arts Club, who awards the $10,000 top prize and $2,500 honorable mention, picks fifteen theatres who, in turn, nominate fifteen playwrights who have not yet achieved prominent national recognition.
The rest of the nominators include"
Salt Lake City Acting Company, Salt Lake City, UT
Freedom Repertory Theatre, Philadephia, PA
Arden Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
Women's Project and Productions, New York, NY
Huntington Theatre Company, Boston, MA
Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami, FL
Hartford Stage Company, Hartford, CT
Atlantic Theatre, New York, NY
Playwright's Horizons, New York, NY
Drama Department, New York, NY
Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN
In early June, when the playwright nominees are announced, the playwrights will submit a biography and one play. These are read over by the National Arts Club throughout the summer and a winner and honorable mention will be announced in September. The Kesselring Prize is awarded in November. 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.
2001's Kesselring winner was David Lindsay-Abaire (Kimberly Akimbo) with 2002 Pulitzer Prize nominee Dael Orlandersmith as the honorable mention. Past winners have included David Auburn, Nicky Silver, Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Jose Rivera and Marion McClinton.
-- By Christine Ehren
