Leah Ryan Fund: The Leah
Supports emerging women, trans, and non-binary playwrights worldwide with a $5,000 prize, public reading, and workshop for outstanding full-length English plays.
Funder: Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (full application) | March 2027 (finalists' full play)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 cash prize plus public reading and summer workshop at Vassar College (one winner annually)
Summary: Recognizes and supports emerging women, trans, and non-binary playwrights worldwide for outstanding full-length plays in English.
Key Information: Submission cap of 400 applicants; no fee to apply.
Description
This annual program supports emerging women, trans, and non-binary playwrights from around the world by recognizing outstanding full-length plays written in English. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and a public reading and summer workshop as part of the Powerhouse Theater Program at Vassar College. The initiative is designed to uplift new voices in theater and foster creativity and visibility for underrepresented playwrights. Works of any structure or format (except musicals) are considered, as long as they are completed full-length plays.
