Background

Christopher Brian Wolk was a talented and creative actor, musician, singer, writer and composer who died in an accident while visiting Glacier National Park, Montana. To honor his memory, Abingdon Theatre Company and the Wolk family have created the Christopher Brian Wolk Award for Excellence in Playwriting.

Christopher worked extensively with Abingdon in both the workshop and the Mainstage Productions of Zona, the Ghost of Greenbrier, the staged reading of Floodwatch, and in-house readings of The Debating Society and The Weight of Breath.

At other NYC theatres he appeared in Delicious Vaudeville, Girls We Have Known, The Drummer Must Die, and Poor Fellas, which has been published by Dramatists' Play Service and is dedicated to Chris's memory. He also developed his own work, Sons of Katherine, as well as numerous short films. A graduate of Marquette University, he interned at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre performing in The Merchant of Venice and Sex, Death and Friday Night at Theatre X.

The Award

In an ongoing effort to recognize excellence in playwriting, the award is presented annually to an American writer of a new, full-length play. The award is based upon the writer's demonstrated ability to reach a mature artistic vision using theatre. This is yet another way in which Abingdon supports theatrical work, while honoring the memory of a great actor and true friend.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash award and a staged reading of the script at the award ceremony held in our June Havoc Theatre in Manhattan’s Mid-town Fashion District.

Previous Winners

2001  Christopher Bailey, Mandrake and the Marsh People
           Subsequently developed at Lord Leebrick Theater Company, Eugene, OR

2002  Cheryl Royce, The Passion of Claire 
           Produced by Hudson Stage Company, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

2003  Stuart Warmflash, Shortly After Takeoff  
           Produced by Harbor Lights Theatre Company, NY, NY

2004  Daniel Damiano, Dreams of Friendly Aliens 
           Produced in Abingdon's 2006-2007 season

2005  Nancy Moss, Hostage Wife 
           Produced by the Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu, HA

2006  Tim Slover, Treasure
           Produced by Fulton Theatre, New Lancaster, PA
           and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

2007  Mark Eisman, Shove 
           Produced by The Road Theatre Company, Los Angeles, CA

2008  Frank Tangredi, Pastoral 
           Optioned for commercial production

2009  Joel Fields, How I Fell In Love
            Produced by Abingdon Theatre Company , January 21 through February 13, 2011

2010  Stephen Spotswood, Aronsville Woman
            Produced at Northern Kentucky University

2011  Jack Canfora, Poetic License
            Produced by The Director's Company at 59E59 Theatre

2012  Rob Winn Anderson, The 10th Son

Selection Process

The literary department selects the initial pool of scripts from all those submitted during the year-long submission cycle.
A three-person Nominating Committee, including the Literary Manager, reviews the selected pool of scripts to nominate nine finalists.
A Selection Committee is comprised of Jan Buttram, Artistic Director, three respected theatre professionals and a member of the Wolk family review the nine finalists and choose the winning script.

Submission Guidelines:

• You are an American citizen or have permanent resident status.
• Your script has a running time of at least 75 minutes.
• The script has not been produced in New York City for critical review.
• Cast requires no more than eight (8) actors; character doubling is fine.
• A printed copy of the entire script is required.
  • We do not accept scripts by email.
  • Do not send sample pages or treatments.
• Be sure to include: name, address, phone and email address.
• The script must be bound, e.g. brass fasteners, 3-prong folders or spiral binding, etc. - binder clips are NOT acceptable.
• A full character breakdown, if roles are doubled, include how the roles are doubled.
• A short synopsis.
• Your writing bio.
• Development and/or production history of the script if applicable.
• Include a SASE if you want your materials returned.
• Note: All correspondence is by email. If you do NOT have an email address, you must include a SAS postcard or envelope to receive a receipt acknowledgement.

Also keep in mind:

• Playwrights may submit one and only one script for each of our submission cycles, e.g., June 2, 2010 to June 1, 2011.
• Scripts are considered only once for the Christopher Brian Wolk Award.
• Scripts that are an adaptation of copyrighted materials or incorporate copyrighted materials, must include a statement stating that the playwright has obtained the rights to use such material.
• We do not consider musicals.

Submit your script to:

Kim T. Sharp, Literary Manager
Abingdon Theatre Company
312 West 36th Street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10018-7570

Finalists:

Playwrights chosen as finalists will be asked to submit additional copies of the chosen work for evaluation by the Selection Committee without identifying markings (your name or your address, etc.).

Winners receive:

A $1,000 cash prize and a staged reading.