Edward Medina Prize for
Excellence
in Cultural Criticism
DESCRIPTION
Design by Ashlie Juarbe
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, a charitable foundation founded in 1991 that provides educational and other support to theater critics, and by Critical Minded, an initiative that invests in cultural critics of color cofounded in 2017 by The Nathan Cummings Foundation and The Ford Foundation.
2025 APPLICATION
The application period opens July 1 and closes August 15, at 11:59pm Eastern Time.
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.
2025 JUDGES
• Daniela Cintron (she/her), journalist, editor, and producer
• Andrea Henderson (she/her), journalist, St. Louis Public Radio
• Jade Lambert-Smith (she/her), director-dramaturg and executive producer, Lambert Smith Media
• Sharon Mizota (she/her), art critic and archivist
• Blake Zidell (he/him), president, Blake Zidell & Associates
PHOTO GALLERY [in development]
PAST PRIZES AND EVENTS
- 2024 November 9. Christian Lewis received Prize. ATCANY2024 interview by Gloria Oladipo on HowlRound.
- 2024 October 14. Christian Lewis announced third Medina Prize recipient.
- 2023 November 12. Gloria Oladipo received Prize. ATCANY2023 interview by Brittani Samuel.
- 2023 October 18. Gloria Oladipo announced second Medina prize recipient.
- 2022 November 13. Brittani Samuel received Prize. ATCANY2022 interview with Samuel and Helbing fellow Billy McEntee by Chris Byrne.
- 2022 October 27. Brittani Samuel announced inaugural Medina Prize recipient
ABOUT EDWARD MEDINA
Edward Medina was a proud Puerto Rican, born and raised in New York City. His rich background and multifaceted talents paved the way for a successful and well-established life in the arts and entertainment industry. Starting as a young magician and performer, he consistently showcased his flair for the theatrical throughout his illustrious career. Medina’s foundational belief in the necessity and vitality of the arts drove him to become a recognized and award-winning director, producer, author, and eventually, a 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 passing in 2021. During his time with ATCA, Medina heavily emphasized the need for nurturing singular voices from underrepresented communities within theatrical production and criticism, as well as providing fresh opportunities and support for new critics finding their calling to this key field of the arts.
To learn more about Edward Medina, please visit his website.
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