The Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize

The Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize was established in 2004 in support of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s longstanding commitment to the development and production of new works by both established and emerging playwrights and to the introduction of powerful and inventive new voices to the American stage. Mickey Jarson Kaplan was one of Cincinnati’s most generous and enthusiastic arts patrons and philanthropists. The prize was created in tribute to her memory by her husband, Dr. Stanley Kaplan.

The play selected as the Kaplan winner receives a full production at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as part of the theatre’s annual season and is given regional and national promotion. The playwright receives a $20,000 award as well as travel and residency expenses for the Cincinnati rehearsal period.

Guidelines for submission

Plays must be full-length in any genre: comedy, drama, musical, etc. Translations, individual one-acts and any play previously submitted for the Kaplan Prize are not eligible. Collaborations are welcomed, in which case prize benefits are shared. Plays cannot have received a full-scale, professional production prior to submission. Plays that have had a workshop, reading or non-professional production are still eligible. Playwrights must be citizens of the United States. Playwrights with past production experience are especially encouraged to submit new work. Only one submission per playwright is allowed each year.

Submission is a two-phase process:

Phase I: Submit a two-page maximum abstract of the play including title, character breakdown, brief story synopsis and playwright bio or resume. Also include 10 pages of consecutive sample dialogue. If submitting a musical, please include an audio cassette or CD of selections from the score. Do not send sheet music, videos or DVDs. Literary agents may submit full scripts of their clients' work.

All abstracts and dialogue samples will be read. From these, selected manuscripts will be solicited. (See Phase II). Do not send a manuscript with or instead of the abstract. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be read. Submitted materials, including audio cassettes and CDs, will be returned only if a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage is provided. If you would like notification that your submission was received, please send it with Delivery Confirmation, Certified Mail or Return Receipt through the U.S. Postal Service.

Phase II: All solicited manuscripts will be read. Manuscripts should be neatly typed, securely bound and have the playwright’s name, contact address and phone number clearly visible on the front page. No solicited manuscript will be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage.
All final selections are made by Edward Stern, Producing Artistic Director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Submissions are accepted between June 1 and December 31 (postmarked).

We do not accept electronically submitted materials.

Address all submissions to:
The Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
P.O. Box 6537
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206