The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Playwright Award

The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Playwright Award is a $10,000 cash grant to be awarded to one (1) New York State-based playwright who self-identifies as LGBTQ+. 

GRANT TIMELINE:

Applications Open: Tuesday, May, 2 at 10:00 AM ET  
Applications Close: Friday, June 30 at 5:00 PM ET*
Applicants Notified: October 2023

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*Please note that the application form on Submittable will automatically close & stop accepting applications at this time.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Playwright Award is an annual $10,000 cash grant awarded to one (1) New York State-based playwright who self-identifies as LGBTQ+. The Award honors the life and work of Ryan Hudak. Ryan was a gay playwright, theater maker, filmmaker, and a valued member of NYFA’s staff, serving on the executive and development teams. Tragically, Ryan passed away in May 2022 after a long battle with Leukemia at the age of 32. The Award will be open to playwrights who live in New York State, including those who live within the five boroughs of New York City. 

Applicants will need to be practicing playwrights and be able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their creative practice and career. Applicants will be required to share a statement on how this Award will impact and catalyze their artistic work and practice. Applicants must self-identify as LGBTQ+. Only those who are at least 25 years of age and current New York State residents and have maintained residency for a minimum of twelve months by the application deadline will be considered. 

Funding for this award is generously provided by Ryan’s parents, Pat and Tom Hudak; individual donors; and the philanthropic community. Those interested in contributing funds to this annual award may donate below.

Donate

HOW TO APPLY

NYFA only accepts applications online via apply.nyfa.org/submit.

Download a PDF version of the application guidelines here

View the application guidelines page here.

View the FAQ page here.

REQUEST AN ACCOMODATION 

To request an accommodation or if you need assistance in applying online, please email [email protected] or call (212) 366-6900 ext. 248 on Wednesdays between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM ET. For accommodation outside of the provided time slot, please email [email protected] to schedule a phone call. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible, and no later than Friday, May 19 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

NYFA is committed to supporting artists from every background, and at all stages in their creative careers. Artists with multiple intersecting identities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.