2009 Semi-finalists named

Semifinalists were announced September 11th for the 2009 Eileen Heckart Drama for Seniors Competition, hosted by the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute at The Ohio State University. There were 510 plays submitted to the third competition, which honors Eileen Heckart (1919-2001), the distinguished American actress whose long career culminated in her stunning performance in Kenneth Lonergan's The Waverly Gallery (2000), for which she received the Drama Desk Award, Obie Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award. That same year she was awarded the Tony for lifetime achievement. She also was the recipient of an Academy Award (Butterflies Are Free), Golden Globe (The Bad Seed) and an Emmy (Save Me A Place at Forest Lawn). She was recognized with a Margo Jones Medal in 2000 for her long championing of new plays, having appeared in almost thirty world premiere productions.

Winning plays, and first-runners-up, will receive staged readings at The Ohio State University during the 2009-2010 academic year. Winning writers are not required to attend. We hope to be able to announce finalists by the end of September, and the winners by late October.

Further information: 614/292-8238 (voice), 614/292-3222 (FAX), woods.1@osu.edu; www.heckartdrama.blogspot.com


One act

Abrams, Tevia E. New York, New York Marge and Jack
Conlon, Richard P St. Charles, Illinois send forth thy mercies
Dubois, Katherine Boulder, Colo. Volunteer Work
DuKore, Lawrence New York, NY Death in Venice, California
Jackson, Simon Edinburgh, Scotland The Rose Garden Party
Kinast, Robert L. Prairie Village, Kansas The Leftover Couple
Klarup, Pamela Chicago, Illinois Seeing Siberia
Lerner, Harry Summerfield, Florida Diary of a Fading Rose
Lindsay, Barbara Seattle, Wash This Almost Joy
Mellas, Michael Minneapolis, Minn Waiting
Potter, Jon Rockport, Maine Working
Rothstein, Robin New York, NY Breaking Routine
Schutzman, Steven Baltimore, MD Tammy
Toohey, Rosemary Frisino Baltimore, MD Tilapia
Werner, Raymond Pittsburgh, PA Night Song
Werner, Raymond Pittsburgh, PA Wandering Angus

Ten minute

Appel, Dori. Ashland, Oregon Feathered
Armour, Toby (Ms.) East Haven, Conn. Lifer
Bailey, Jerry Murfreesboro, Tenn. Clyde, Is That You?
Bohane, M. John Nokomis, Florida The Travelling Woman
Chua, Damon Los Angeles, Calif. Dogs Are Evil
Dempsey, Sandra Toronto, Ont. V.S.A.
Lerner, Harry Summerfield, Florida A Love Story
Lewison, David Los Angeles, Calif. Maryanne
Lindsay, Barbara Seattle, Wash. The Takeover
Martin, Maureen A. Sarasota, Florida Memorial Park
Musto, Edward New York, NY Shute Branch
Rigney, Mark Evansville, Indiana Porch Revival
Steelsmith, Mary Los Angeles, Ca. Happy and Gay
Stewart, Douglas Santa Fe, NM Never Mind
Walker, Stephanie Alison Los Angeles, CA Melt

Full Length

Antone, Tiffany Los Angeles, Calif. Ham Brown’s House
Elliott, Paul Los Angeles, Calif. Exit Laughing
Estrine, Judith New York, NY Pinocle and Roses
Gately, Robert Bethlehem, PA Going Solo
Guilford-Blake, Evan Stone Mountain, GA Leavin’ for Heaven
lathrop, mara Port Townsend, Wash The Lily & Lou Show
Orndorff, Elizabeth Danville, KY Aidan’s Gift
Rao, Diane New Concord, OH Sunset: Sunrise
Siegel, Adam New York, NY The Legacy
Sheldon, Carol Novato, Calif. Last Call
Sifford, R. Lawrence Washington, D.C. Murder in a Nursing Home
Spector, Donna Warwick, NY Not For the Ferryman
Toohey, Rosemary Frisino Baltimore, MD Gladys in Wonderland
Traverse, Lans London, England Coleslaw and Coconut Cream Pie
West, Ellen Portland, Oregon Losing Things