Theater News

Liberation, Initiative, Cold War Choir Practice Nominated for Susan Smith Blackburn Prize

The Blackburn is presented annually to Women+ playwrights from across the world.

| New York City |

November 24, 2025

431 Betsy Aidem, Kristolyn Lloyd, Adina Verson, Audrey Corsa, Irene Sofia Lucio and Susannah Flood in the Broadway production of Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White ©Little Fang — Betsy Aidem, Kristolyn Lloyd, Adina Verson, Audrey Corsa, Irene Sofia Lucio, and Susannah Flood in the Broadway production of *Liberation*
(© Little Fang)

The new American plays Liberation, Initiative, and Cold War Choir Practice are among the finalists for this year’s Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the oldest award recognizing women+ writers in the English-speaking theater.

This year’s full list of writers, and their plays, are as follows:

Barbara Bergin (Ireland) – Dublin Gothic

Hannah Doran (UK/Ireland) – Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights

Amy Jephta (South Africa) – A Good House

Frances Poet (United Kingdom) – Small Acts of Love

Ro Reddick (United States) – Cold War Choir Practice

Jasmine Sharma (United States) – Pigeonhole

Jen Silverman (United States) – Regressions

DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation) – “I” is for Invisible

Else Went (United States) – Initiative

Bess Wohl (United States) – Liberation

The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026 at the Royal Court Theatre in London with a special presentation and celebration. The winner will be awarded $25,000 and will also receive a signed print by renowned artist Willem de Kooning, created especially for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. A Special Commendation of $10,000 may be given at the discretion of the judges, and each finalist will receive $5,000.