I learned yesterday that my play “Fifteen Men In A Smoke-Filled Room” has won the Kaplan Play Competition sponsored by Eventide Arts of Dennis, MA!

Eventide Arts is an “independent organization that presents plays, concerts, lectures, and mixed media events to promote the understanding of social diversity, music, dance, and the art of playwriting and songwriting.” Eventude was formed in 1998 by Dennis Union Church (DUB) Music Director Noel Tipton and “is committed to producing thought-provoking theatre and entertainment that will stir and engage the community.” The company primarily performs on the Gertrude Lawrence Stage (named after the famous stage actress) located at Dennis Union Church Fellowship Hall.

The Kaplan Competition is sponsored by the Jeremiah Kaplan Foundation and The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. It is open to new and established playwrights who live on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. My play “Harriman-Baines” was a finalist in the contest last year.

“Fifteen Men In A Smoke-Filled Room” will be given a staged reading on March 8 and March 9. A professional director (the veteran John Williams) will lead a cast of professional actors and actresses for the readings. I will be awarded $1,000 after the evening performance of the play.

I am especially pleased to have won the Kaplan Prize both because of the respected position of Eventide Arts but also because the prize is so “close to home” for me. I have had my plays presented in numerous area throughout the United States (and beyond!) but never had the pleasure of having one of my plays presented in my own backyard.

I look forward to working with the director and the actors on this great project!