In the last five years, students from the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance dramatic writing program have claimed seven national playwriting awards. If 2007 is any indication, the program’s success will only grow. Once again, UNM playwrights have brought home national awards, but they have also added to that list with renowned fellowships and attendance in reputed national programs.
Leonard Madrid and Don Garcia, both third year M.F.A. students, were awarded the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Award for Latino Playwrights. Garcia received the award for his play “A Kiss for Death.” Madrid received the award for his one-act play “Perla.” Both plays were part of UNM’s Words Afire New Play Festival in 2006.
It is only the second time in the history of the award that two playwrights have received this honor in the same year. Madrid and Garcia were given fellowships to attend the KCACTF in Washington D.C., a cash prize, membership to the Dramatists Guild and the Playwright’s Center, and a fellowship to a summer program.
Madrid’s play “Perla” was also a finalist for the John Cauble short play competition. The four finalists in the competition were given concert readings at the Kennedy Center.
M.F.A. student Lou Clark received the regional SSDC/KCACTF award for directing. Clark was recognized for directing her thesis play “Searching for Calliopeia” at UNM’s Words Afire Festival. In Washington D.C., she was in contention with regional directing winners from around the Unites States. She received an honorable mention.
Graduate student Kristen Simpson’s thesis play “Four Days in the Delta” and Madrid’s play “Volver Volver Volver” were selected for the nationally renowned University Playwright’s Workshop, along with the plays of graduate students from Brown University, University of California-San Diego, New York University, Julliard and Carnegie Mellon.
M.F.A student Terry Gomez was one of four students nationwide to be awarded an American Indian College Fund – Mellon Faculty Career Enhancement Fellowship for 2007-08. The $30,000 award is given to Native American graduate students in the final year of a terminal degree.
The Words Afire Festival has a slate of new plays lined up for the spring.
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: michal@unm.edu