The Bauer Boucher Playwriting Awards
Recognizing the work of Kean's playwrights
The Bauer Boucher Playwriting Awards, established in 2014 by Premiere Stages supporters W. John Bauer and Nancy Boucher, recognize the work of one Kean student and one Kean alumnus each year. The Bauer Boucher Awards support Kean University writers with enhanced visibility, dramaturgical feedback, a cash award, and the opportunity to hear their plays read out loud by an ensemble of professional actors.
Premiere Stages accepts submissions for the Bauer Boucher each fall from any writers who are currently attending or have graduated from Kean University, and the Award-winning play is selected in January. After the submission window closes in December, the submissions are read by Premiere Stages staff and a select panel of playwrights, theatre professionals, and educators. One current student will receive a $1000 award and one alumnus will receive a $2000 award; both will receive one-day developmental readings of their new plays with professional casts and directors. Additional playwrights may be selected as finalists and awarded $100.
Submissions open
Nov
14
2022
Submissions close
Dec
12
2022
Submission Guidelines
Available in PDF
- Submissions are accepted November 14, 2022, through 11:59 p.m. on December 12, 2022.
- Playwrights must be current students in good academic standing or graduates of Kean University.
- Plays must be unpublished and have never received a professional production.
- Previous winning plays and finalist plays are ineligible.
- Playwrights must be available for the development of their script (see schedule).
- Writers may submit an existing original play, completed or in progress, OR write an original one-act play using a prompt provided by Premiere Stages.
- All plays must be submitted as a PDF via email to pfsubmit@kean.edu. Hard copies will not be accepted.
If using the prompt:
Write a play inspired by the word UNION. Use the below parameters to complete the play:
- The play must be able to be performed by no more than 5 actors, though more than 5 characters can be included.
- The play must include the use of a pair of binoculars as a prop.
- The play must contain at least one event in the environment around the characters that impacts their actions.
- The play must contain the line “I wish I’d seen this before.”
- The play must be no more than 25 pages.
If submitting an existing play without using the prompt:
Students and alumni may submit the full text of an existing play. Scripts that are in progress must contain at least 25 pages and attach a scene breakdown for the unwritten scenes.
All submissions (using the prompt or not) should include:
- A brief synopsis of the play (no more than half a page).
- Character breakdown.
- The playwright’s bio or resume.
Script (or at least 25 pages of the script that is currently written & scene breakdown of the full play).
Questions or concerns
2023 Schedule
stay tuned!
Nov 14, 2022
Submissions open
Dec 12, 2022
Submissions close
Early January, 2023
Finalists interviews
Mid-January, 2023
Winner and finalists selected
Late January, 2023
Winners receive professional readings; date & locations TBA