Edward Medina Prize

DESCRIPTION

Edward Medina at Sardi’s

The Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism is an award for reviewers, critics, and journalists in the U.S. from under-represented groups (women, people of the global majority, trans, and non-binary) who write about theater and its role in highlighting people from various cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

The purposes of the prize are to (1) cultivate relationships between ATCA and diverse critics, (2) encourage increased readership of cultural criticism composed by diverse writers, and (3) offer monetary support for critics from under-represented groups

The prize includes $1,000 for the recipient, one free year of ATCA membership, and a travel stipend to help offset some costs for an upcoming ATCA conference.

The Edward Medina Prize is sponsored in part by Foundation ATCA and Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color cofounded by The Nathan Cummings Foundation and The Ford Foundation.

APPLICATION

2024 application period is now closed. 2025 application period will be announced in summer 2025.

The short application asks applicants to upload a short bio, a short personal statement and up to three writing samples. Writing samples can be op-eds, long-form reviews, essays, or feature articles.

All applications are reviewed by a panel of judges who are professionals in theater, journalism, and/or communications. 

2024 Judges

• Wei Huan Chen, freelance writer and administrator at Clemson University
• Jamie Gahlon, director and co-founder of HowlRound Theatre Commons
• Dorothy Lennon, theater teacher and project manager for the Zora Neale Hurston Trust
• Jacquinn Sinclair, contributing writer, WBUR and freelance journalist
• Steven Vargas, multimedia journalist, dancer, and actor

About Edward Medina

Edward Medina was a proud Nuyorican, whose rich background and multifaceted talents served to create a strong, well-established life within the arts and entertainment industry. Beginning as a young magician and performer, then throughout his storied career, Medina brought his flair for the theatrical and deep understanding of the value of the arts to his roles as a recognized and award-winning producer, director, author, and eventually critic.

Medina was especially honored, as a member of the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association, to have served on the Executive Committee as well as the Membership and Belonging, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committees, until his death in 2021. During his time with ATCA, Medina heavily emphasized needs for increasing diversity within theatrical production and criticism, as well as providing fresh opportunities and support for new critics finding their calling to this vital field of the arts.

To learn more about Edward Medina, please visit his website.