Douglas Williams Wins ATCA s Osborn New Play Award For SHIP
The Osborn Award carries a $1,000 cash prize.by Alexa Criscitiello
Douglas Williams has won the American Theatre Critics Association s 2021 M. Elizabeth Osborn Award for his play SHIP. Given by ATCA in memory of critic, director, educator and new play advocate M. Elizabeth Betty Osborn (1941-1993), the prize recognizes the work of a playwright who has not yet received a major production, such as a Broadway or Off-Broadway engagement, or received any other major national awards. SHIP had its world premiere at Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia, where Williams is playwright in residence. In the play, a young woman returns from rehab to her seaside Connecticut hometown intent on scoring the most coveted job available: as tour guide at the local maritime museum. She also nurses an infatuation with a former classmate who once attempted to grow the world s longest fingernails.
American Blues Theater Names Yussef El Guindi 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Award Winner
Yussef El Guindi s work frequently examines the collision of ethnicities, cultures, and politics that face Arab-Americans and Muslim Americans.by BWW News Desk
American Blues Theater has announced the winner of the 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Award is Refugee Rhapsody by Yussef El Guindi. A staged reading of his play will be presented as part of the virtual 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Festival, along with an online library of new work by finalists Juan Alfonso (An Educated Guess), Matthew Libby (The Machine), Wendy MacLeod (The Good Samaritan), and Chandra Thomas (The Buzzer). Details for the virtual reading and library, including dates and tickets, will be announced at a later date.
Housing and Development Newsletter
A heartfelt comedy, the story follows the character Nina as she enters her first air guitar competition. She quickly discovers the passion and drive it takes to unlock your inner rockstar, and even makes some friends along the way.
Nina’s journey teaches her that air guitar, and life, are about living in the moment, performing with raw joy, and finding out everything you need to succeed is already inside you.
At its core, Airness is a story about belonging. With many families and friends still separated or in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is reminded of the importance of community. Airness stresses the significance of a shared community, and the value in creating an environment where everyone is accepted and loved.