Full Breakdown
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Awards Joint Winners for 2026
2/27/2026, 4:28:18 AM
Celebrating Emerging Voices in Theatre
The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has recognized joint winners for the first time in over 25 years, awarding Hannah Doran for her debut play *The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights* and Ro Reddick for *Cold War Choir Practice*. The announcement was made on February 26 at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where an international community of theatre leaders and artists gathered to celebrate the achievements of these playwrights and eight additional finalists. Each winner received a cash prize of $25,000 and a signed print by artist Willem de Kooning, while each finalist was awarded $5,000.
The Winning Plays
Hannah Doran’s *The Meat Kings! (Inc.)* is set in a New York butcher’s shop and delves into themes of immigration, addiction, and financial precarity. Doran noted that she began writing the play during the first Trump administration, emphasizing its relevance amid increasing political division. The play premiered at the Park Theatre in London in 2025 and previously won the Papatango Prize in 2024.
Ro Reddick’s *Cold War Choir Practice*, which is currently in previews at MCC Theatre in New York, is a coming-of-age story set in a roller rink in 1987. Reddick drew inspiration from her experiences in a children’s chorus and the political climate following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She described the play as an exploration of the moment when one realizes the world is not a safe place, a theme she has been unpacking through her writing.
Official Statements & Responses
Leslie Swackhamer, executive director of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, remarked on the significance of the award, stating, “These writers are on the cusp of brilliant careers, and their plays could not be more different … both are dealing with our current moment in theatrically thrilling ways.” Judge Benedict Lombe praised Reddick’s work for its “originality of voice, playfulness of form and bold and unafraid vision.”
Criticism & Opposition
While the award celebrates the achievements of emerging women+ playwrights, some critics argue that the focus on joint winners may dilute the recognition of individual accomplishments. However, the prize's history of honoring diverse voices in theatre continues to be a point of pride for its supporters.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For me it read like Arthur Miller. A proper play about now, told with fantastic dialogue and characterisation. I was deeply affected.” — Julie Hesmondhalgh, Judge
- “Writing this play became an attempt to capture a very particular kind of coming of age: the moment when you learn the world is not a safe place for you.” — Ro Reddick, Playwright
- “I think it has only become more relevant in that time, as we are all increasingly divided by damaging political rhetoric.” — Hannah Doran, Playwright
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, founded nearly fifty years ago, remains the oldest and largest international award recognizing women+ playwrights in English-speaking theatre. Past winners have achieved significant accolades, including Pulitzer Prizes and Tony Awards, underscoring the prize's impact on the theatrical landscape.
