The Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award

Supported by VSAarts, for the outstanding student-written play on the theme of disability, The Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, named after the founder of VSAarts, 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 winning playwright will receive a cash award of $2,500.
• Dramatists Guild Award. The Dramatists Guild Award provides the playwright with Active membership in the Guild.
• Dramatic Publishing may present the winning playwright with an offer of a contract to publish, license, and market the winning play.
• A fellowship to attend a play development program.

VSAarts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. VSAarts 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-arts programs every year through a network of affiliates in 49 states and 64 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 play must be entered, as an Associate or Participating entry, in the KCACTF. It 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 Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award Winners

2008

Past Perfect, Future Tense - John-Paul Nickel, Carnegie-Mellon University

2007

Sick - Zayd Dohrn, New York University

2006

Samaritan, Mary Unser, Carnegie Mellon University

2nd Place - The Lazarus Syndrome, Bruce Ward, Boston University

2005 (co-winners)

Arts and Science, David Roby, Illinois State University

The Family Frost, Terry Davis, University of New Mexico

2004

Get Off by Paul McCabe, Ithaca College

2003

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