The Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award
Supported by VSA, the International Organization on Arts and Disability, The Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, named after the founder of VSA, is offered for the outstanding student-written script that explores the human experience of living with a disability (please consult the Americans With Disabilities Act for the full definition of Disability).
- The award recipient will receive a cash award of $1,000.
- Dramatists Guild Award. The Dramatists Guild Award provides the playwright with Active membership in the Guild.
- Professional Development Fellowship. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival will provide the award recipient with an all-expenses paid professional development opportunity.
VSA is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. VSA is creating a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Nearly 5 million people with disabilities participate in VSA programs every year through a network of affiliates in 42 states and 51 countries worldwide.
The play must be produced by a college or university or publicly presented in a “rehearsed” or “staged reading” format following a significant development process. The must comply with the guidelines for scripts entered in the KCACTF Michael Kanin Playwriting Program.
For other questions, refer to the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Rules and Procedures for the Michael Kanin Playwriting Awards Program above.
- The award recipient will receive a cash award of $1,000.
- Dramatists Guild Award. The Dramatists Guild Award provides the playwright with Active membership in the Guild.
- Professional Development Fellowship. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival will provide the award recipient with an all-expenses paid professional development opportunity.
VSA is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. VSA is creating a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Nearly 5 million people with disabilities participate in VSA programs every year through a network of affiliates in 42 states and 51 countries worldwide.
The play must be produced by a college or university or publicly presented in a “rehearsed” or “staged reading” format following a significant development process. The must comply with the guidelines for scripts entered in the KCACTF Michael Kanin Playwriting Program.
For other questions, refer to the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Rules and Procedures for the Michael Kanin Playwriting Awards Program above.
Previous Award Recipients
2013 Colossal by Andrew Hinderaker, University of Texas at Austin
Runner-up - Joyless Eye by JC Pankratz, DePauw University
2012 The Man in the Sukkah by Deborah Yarchun, University of Iowa
Absense by Peter Floyd, Playwright's Theatre of Boston University
2011 IN A WORD by Lauren Yee, University of California-San Diego
2010 Have a Heart by Lisa Beth Allen, University of New Orleans
2009 Past Perfect, Future Tense by John-Paul Nickel, Carnegie-Mellon University
2008 Sick by Zayd Dohrn, New York University
2007 Samaritan, Mary Unser, Carnegie Mellon University
2nd Place - The Lazarus Syndrome, Bruce Ward, Boston University
2006 Arts and Science, David Roby, Illinois State University
The Family Frost, Terry Davis, University of New Mexico
2005 Get Off by Paul McCabe, Ithaca College
2004 Quid Pro Quo by Garrett Zuercher, Marquette University
2002 The Nature of the Nautilus by Ian Finley, University of Utah
2001 And David Danced by Jonathan Pope Evans, William Carey College
2000 A Simple Autumn, Kevin Schneipp, Viterbo College, La Crosse, Wisconsin
1999 The Great Frozen Man, Jeannine Saunders, Wichita State University, Kansas
Runner-up - Joyless Eye by JC Pankratz, DePauw University
2012 The Man in the Sukkah by Deborah Yarchun, University of Iowa
Absense by Peter Floyd, Playwright's Theatre of Boston University
2011 IN A WORD by Lauren Yee, University of California-San Diego
2010 Have a Heart by Lisa Beth Allen, University of New Orleans
2009 Past Perfect, Future Tense by John-Paul Nickel, Carnegie-Mellon University
2008 Sick by Zayd Dohrn, New York University
2007 Samaritan, Mary Unser, Carnegie Mellon University
2nd Place - The Lazarus Syndrome, Bruce Ward, Boston University
2006 Arts and Science, David Roby, Illinois State University
The Family Frost, Terry Davis, University of New Mexico
2005 Get Off by Paul McCabe, Ithaca College
2004 Quid Pro Quo by Garrett Zuercher, Marquette University
2002 The Nature of the Nautilus by Ian Finley, University of Utah
2001 And David Danced by Jonathan Pope Evans, William Carey College
2000 A Simple Autumn, Kevin Schneipp, Viterbo College, La Crosse, Wisconsin
1999 The Great Frozen Man, Jeannine Saunders, Wichita State University, Kansas
