The ASSITEJ International Inspirational Playwrights Award is an initiative sponsored and adjudicated by Write Local. Play Global. (WLPG), a Professional Network of ASSITEJ International, in partnership with the ASSITEJ International Executive Committee.
Highlighting the importance of playwriting in all its manifestations worldwide, ASSITEJ International honours three individuals as ‘ASSITEJ International Inspirational Playwrights’ at each ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People.
Honouring three inspirational playwrights at each ASSITEJ World Congress allows ASSITEJ International to celebrate its broad membership of different genders, ages, backgrounds, cultures, regions, and languages. ASSITEJ members come from small and large countries, work for and with varying ages of young audiences, and create theatre through a multitude of varied processes. The ASSITEJ International ‘Inspirational Playwrights’ will reflect the diversity in form and subject matter of playwriting worldwide and the global community of talented playwrights and theatre makers.
Past Winners
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21st ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented in Havana, Cuba
• Tijana Grumic (Serbia)
• Mirna Sakleh (Palestine)
• Mamby Mawine (Senegal)
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20th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented Online Due To COVID-19
• María Inés Falconi (Argentina)
• Omphile Molusi (South Africa)
• Suzan Zeder (United States of America)
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19th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented in Cape Town, South Africa
• Kevin Dyer (United Kingdom)
• Rene Fernandez Santana (Cuba)
• Suzanne Lebeau (Canada)
-
21st ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented in Havana, Cuba
• Tijana Grumic (Serbia)
• Mirna Sakleh (Palestine)
• Mamby Mawine (Senegal) -
20th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented Online Due To COVID-19
• María Inés Falconi (Argentina)
• Omphile Molusi (South Africa)
• Suzan Zeder (United States of America) -
19th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People
Presented in Cape Town, South Africa
• Kevin Dyer (United Kingdom)
• Rene Fernandez Santana (Cuba)
• Suzanne Lebeau (Canada)
Frequently Asked Questions
Award Eligibility
The essence of our work is telling stories on our stages, and this award is created to honour particular writers who have inspired Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences (TYA) in their city, their country, their region, or all over the world.
How they have been inspirational may be considered in relation to the context in which they write. It may include:
- Writing a play or plays innovative in content and / or form that help transform TYA in their country;
- Serving as a mentor and role model to other writers;
- Writing politically or socially aware work that challenges entrenched tradition or power in their country or region;
- Their writing encourages audiences to see other people, the world, and its events in a more profound and human way.
Who Can Nominate?
The award nominations are made by the National Centres and Professional Networks of ASSITEJ International. Please get in touch with your ASSITEJ National Centre or Professional Network if you have proposals for nominations.
What Is The Nomination Process?
It will be up to the individual nominating to ‘tell the story’ of how the playwright they nominate has been inspirational.
Applications can be in the first language of the nominator though, if that language is not English, a translation of the materials into English will be required which the ASSITEJ International Secretariat can assist with.
What Is The Timeline & When Must Nominations Be Received?
The nomination process, application information, and further details for the 2021-2024 term will be made available soon.
What Will Award Winners Receive?
In addition to the Awards Ceremony at which the ‘ASSITEJ International Inspirational Playwrights’ are named, the selected playwrights will be invited to work alongside the organisers of the ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival for Children & Young People, the Executive Committee, and Write Local. Play Global. (WLPG) to showcase their work creatively at the festival, such as through performances, translations, readings, etc.
Any Further Questions?
Questions can be sent to the Secretary General.
