Ruby Prize Winner Announced

Southern Rep is thrilled to announce RAMP by Eisa Davis as winner of The Ruby Prize, a new play contest which awards $10,000 to a woman of color playwright and future development workshops at Southern Rep, as well as in New York City. The two finalists for The Ruby who will receive developmental readings at the New Play Bacchanal Festival include HURT VILLAGE by Katori Hall and FIGHT by Kimber Lee. Additional finalists include Tanya Saracho's MALA HIERBA and Jocelyn Bioh's AFRICAN AMERICANS.

The Ruby Prize is named in honor of civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges, representing perseverance in the face of formidable obstacles. As a first-grader at the William Frantz Elementary School in the fall of 1960, Ms Bridges became one of the first African Americans to attend an integrated public school in New Orleans. This past November marks the 50th anniversary of her legendary walk up the school steps, memorialized in photos that depict a little girl surrounded by protesters, state officials, cameras and a sea of frightened faces. We were touched by the notion that there continue to be people, of all ages, braving a walk that is still harder than it should be.

As theatre arts professionals struggle with an ongoing disparity when it comes to the number of annual productions of plays written by female playwrights, and the financial compensation they receive when compared to their male counterparts, this national playwriting contest has been conceived as part of ongoing efforts made by Southern Rep to develop new American plays, support a diverse community of artists, and incite a stimulating dialogue within the community.