Press Releases

ATCA Announces Helbing Mentorship Program

NEW YORK--The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) and Foundation ATCA have announced the creation of a mentorship program for LGBTQIA+ writers. Named for the late Terry Helbing, a pioneer in Gay Theater during the 1970s and 1980s, the program has been designed to encourage the...

Foundation re-elects Handelman president and raises Osborn award

New York — At its annual meeting held on Zoom on August 18, 2021, the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics re-elected Jay Handelman as president for a ninth term. Handelman previously served four three-year terms as an ATCA board member and four years as...

J. Nicole Brooks wins 2021 Steinberg/ATCA Award for “Her Honor, Jane Byrne”

J. Nicole Brooks NEW YORK – Playwright J. Nicole Brooks has won the 2021 Harold and Mimi Steinberg / American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award for their play “Her Honor, Jane Byrne.”The Steinberg/ATCA Award, which carries a $25,000 cash prize, recognizes an outstanding script that premiered professional outside...

Douglas Williams wins ATCA’s Osborn New Play Award for “Ship”

Douglas Williams NEW YORK – Douglas Williams has won the American Theatre Critics Association’s (ATCA) 2021 M. Elizabeth Osborn Award for his play “SHIP.” Given by ATCA in memory of critic, director, educator and new play advocate M. Elizabeth “Betty” Osborn (1941-1993), the prize recognizes the work of a...

2021 Executive Committee results and leadership changes

New York -- Leadership ratification after the June 2021 electronic election occurred this week, with installation of new leadership on various committees. The 2021 Executive Committee electronic voting process opened on Monday June 7, 2021 and concluded on Friday June 11, 2021. As announced in...

Jeffrey Eric Jenkins Elected President of the International Association of Theatre Critics

Jeffrey Eric Jenkins. Photo: Darrell Hoemann/News-Gazette. ATCA's own Jeffrey Eric Jenkins was named as President of the International Association of Theatre Critics at its 29th General Assembly on May 15, 2021 held over zoom and hosted by Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. Dr. Jenkins is the...

ATCA Names Finalists for 2021 Steinberg/ATCA Award

NEW YORK -- The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has selected five finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, recognizing playwrights for the best scripts that premiered professionally outside New York City during 2020. “Top-quality work was staged prior to...

Stephanie Alison Walker wins 2019 Francesca Primus Prize

Stephanie Alison Walker FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Sept. 1, 2020 — ATCA has named Stephanie Alison Walker recipient of the 2019 Francesca Primus Prize, which recognizes an emerging woman playwright. Administered by ATCA since 2002, the prize is named in honor of Francesca Primus, a playwright, dramaturg, theater critic, and ATCA...

ATCA names three finalists for 2019 Francesca Primus Prize: Jennifer Barclay, Ifa Bayeza, and Stephanie Alison Walker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 8, 2020 Jennifer Barclay The American Theatre Critics Association has selected three finalists for the 2019 Francesca Primus Prize, which recognizes an emerging woman playwright. The prize, administered through ATCA, is named in honor of Francesca Primus, a playwright, dramaturg, theater critic, and ATCA member who...

2020 Executive Committee Election Results

Clockwise from top left: Edward Medina, Elizabeth Kramer, Cameron Kelsall, Amanda Finn. After an electronic voting process that opened on Monday June 8, 2020 and concluded on Friday June 19, 2020, ATCA selected four new members for the Executive Committee. Amanda Finn, Elizabeth Kramer, and Edward Medina were elected to...