The award celebrates women+ writers for the English-speaking theatre.
The finalists for 2025/2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize have been announced, with Pedro Pascal unveiling the finalists in a video.
The largest and oldest award celebrating women+ writers has been in existence for nearly 50 years and has seen over 500 plays being honoured as finalists.
Past winners for the prize have included: Annie Baker, Alice Birch, Benedict Lombe, Julia Cho, Caryl Churchill, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Katori Hall, Lucy Kirkwood, Marsha Norman, Lynn Nottage, Dael Orlandersmith, Lucy Prebble, Sarah Ruhl, Paula Vogel, Wendy Wasserstein and Timberlake Wertenbaker.
The finalists for the 48th Annual Susan Smith Blackburn Prize are:
Barbara Bergin (Ireland) Dublin Gothic
Hannah Doran (UK/Ireland) Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights
Amy Jephta (South Africa) A Good House
Frances Poet (UK) Small Acts of Love
Ro Reddick (US) Cold War Choir Practice
Jasmine Sharma (US) Pigeonhole
Jen Silverman (US) Regressions
DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation) “I” is for Invisible
Else Went (US) Initiative
Bess Wohl (US) Liberation
The winner will be announced via a ceremony taking place on the 26th February 2026 at the Royal Court Theatre.The winner will also 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.
To find out more visit: https://www.blackburnprize.org/