Southern Rep Announces The Ruby Prize

Southern Rep is thrilled to introduce The Ruby Prize, a new play contestwhich will award $10,000 to a woman of color playwright.

The Ruby Prize is namedin 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 inthe fall of 1960, Ms Bridges became one of the first African Americans to attend anintegrated public school in New Orleans. This November marks the 50 th anniversary ofher legendary walk up the school steps, memorialized in photos that depict a little girlsurrounded by protesters, state officials, cameras and a sea of frightened faces. We weretouched by the notion that there continue to be people, of all ages, braving a walk that is stillharder than it should be.

The arts have always had incredible power to transform public opinion on important socialissues, such as the way Norman Rockwell's painting of me influenced how many felt about racerelations. I am honored that this award, which will help provide access to talented women ofcolor, will carry my name. We must remember that racism is a grown-up disease, and we muststop using children to spread it.- Ruby Bridges

As theatre arts professionals struggle with an ongoing disparity when it comes to the number ofannual productions of plays written by female playwrights, and the financial compensation theyreceive when compared to their male counterparts, this national playwriting contest has beenconceived 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 our community.

We feel it's important to recognize the enduring struggle of female playwrights of color. Thisprize will highlight the best playwrights in the field and introduce a new opportunity for them.- Artistic Director, Aimée HayesIn addition to an award of $10,000, the winner will receive:A week long development workshop with collaboration of full artistic team at theSouthern Rep New Play Bacchanal, held in New Orleans, January 18 - 23, 2011A sponsored trip to New York to continue development of the play and introduce thenew work to a larger audience(All travel includes roundtrip air and accommodations.)

Two finalists will be selected to have their new works read at the Southern Rep New Play Bacchanal in January 2010. (Includes roundtrip air and accommodations. There is no cash award associated with the selection of finalists.)

Full Description and guidelines appear at the end of this release. Guidelines may also be foundonline at www.SouthernRep.com. Submissions will be accepted between September 15 and November 1, 2010.

The winner will be announced on December 1, 2010.Ruby Bridges - Please read below for more information about Ruby Bridges.

Southern Rep enters its 24th season as the region's premiere professional theatre, continuingto produce bold world and regional premieres under the leadership of Artistic Director, AiméeHayes and Managing Director, Marieke Gaboury. In addition to an exciting Mainstage seasonthat takes us on a journey from the dining room table to a 19 th Century doctor's examining table to a magical realm inhabited by mythical creatures, Southern Rep at Le Chat Noir offers aSecond Stage season of eclectic, smart, silly and audacious theatrical fare.

Southern Repcontinues to offer educational programs such as free student matinees, $10 student rush tickets and Academy SRT; as well as providing an artistic home to new works in development in theannual New Play Bacchanal