Leah's FEWW: The Leah Ryan Fund for Emerging Women Writers (Leah Ryan's FEWW) intends both to encourage brilliant and unrecognized women playwrights with an annual cash prize and a New York City showcase of the winning work. This prize honor the memory and artistry of Leah Ryan (1964—2008.)

Leah Ryan's FEWW is pleased to announce its first annual Prize for Emerging Women Playwrights. The Prize will be given each year to one emerging woman playwright in recognition of an outstanding work written for the English–speaking theater. Eligibility does not require that a submitted work adhere to the traditional three–act structure. One–acts, two–acts (even four–, five–, six– acts), monologues, adaptations, and any other wild or deceptively tame format will be considered with equal seriousness. The only absolute requirement is that the submitted text be a completed full–length work for theater.

The Winner will be chosen by a committee selected by the board members of Leah Ryan's FEWW. The Fund and the Prize are administered through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.

The Winner will receive a cash award of $1,000 as well as a staged reading of her play hosted by FEWW at a theater in New York City. In addition, a stipend of up to $700 for travel and accommodation may be provided by FEWW if necessary. All finalists will be recognized on the FEWW website, and in any other announcements pertaining to the 2010 Prize.

The 2010 Winner will be announced on May 1st, with the reading to follow on an evening to be determined in mid–June.

TO APPLY: All women who consider themselves emerging playwrights (as distinct from fledgling or mid-career playwrights) are encouraged to apply for the Prize. Applications must be received no later than 6pm EST on January 15, 2010 and must include the following:

* An initial submission of up to ten pages excerpted from a fully-developed, completed script. Please note: Finalists will be required to submit the complete script to the FEWW.
*A cover letter of no more than one page describing yourself and your work.
Make sure to also include the following contact information: address, daytime
telephone number, and email address.
*A resume
*At least one letter of support from someone who knows you and your work well

All applications and supporting materials should be submitted electronically to:
leahryansfeww@gmail.com . Enquiries can also be made to this address.

Hard copies of the application are also accepted, but discouraged, and should be sent to:
Leah Ryan’s FEWW
P.O. Box 287
Amherst, MA 01004-0287

www.leahryansFEWW.com

Source: The Loop