James Stevenson Prize For Comedic Short Plays Returns For Second Year

Playing on Air today announced the return of the James Stevenson Prize for Comedic Short Plays. Founded last year, the Stevenson Prize honors bold, original comedies that embody the spirit and wit of the late New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson. The competition, sponsored by Stevenson's wife Josie Merck, offers one of the nation's largest prizes specifically for short plays: first prize of $7,500 and a full audio production, second prize of $2,000, and third prize of $1,000.

Starting on February 28th, 2019, playwrights may submit scripts of original, unproduced audio plays for consideration. Entries will be judged blind by a panel of theater practitioners based on literary merit and originality. All entries should embrace the particular possibilities - and restrictions - of audio theater. Full contest rule are available at playingonair.org/stevenson2019

Last year's inaugural Stevenson winners were HATE BABY by Gracie Gardner, HEDGEHOG YEARS by Lily Akerman, and HORSE LATITUDES by Elizabeth Logun. The winning plays by Gardner and Akerman are slated for release on Playing on Air later this year.

On public radio and podcast, Playing on Air is the home of America's greatest playwrights, actors, and directors - a new way to experience theater. Each short audio play features electric performances and intimate conversations with stars from stage & screen. Recent episodes have featured Audra McDonald, Timothée Chalamet, John Leguizamo, Michelle Williams, Adam Driver, Denis O'Hare, Zoe Kazan, and David Harbour in plays by Lynn Nottage, David Ives, Donald Margulies, Julia Cho, and David Lindsay-Abaire.

To listen, subscribe on iTunes (http://bit.ly/PlayingOnAir), search 'Playing on Air' in your favorite podcasting app, or stream at playingonair.org

To learn more about the Stevenson Prize, visit playingonair.org/stevenson2019