Finalists revealed for 48th Annual Susan Smith Blackburn Prize

The finalists have been revealed for this year’s Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.

Pedro Pascal revealed the latest contenders for the international playwrighting award in an exclusive video.

As the largest and oldest award recognising women+ writers for the English-speaking theatre, across almost 50 years, over 500 plays have been honoured as finalists, with past winners including Alice Birch, Julia Cho, Katori Hall, Lynn Nottage, Paula Vogel and many more.

The finalists for the 48th Annual Susan Smith Blackburn Prize are:

Barbara Bergin (Ireland) – Dublin Gothic

Hannah Doran (UK/Ireland) – Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights

Amy Jephta (South Africa) – A Good House

Frances Poet (UK) – Small Acts of Love

Ro Reddick (US) – Cold War Choir Practice

Jasmine Sharma (US) – Pigeonhole

Jen Silverman (US) – Regressions

DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation) – “I” is for Invisible

Else Went (US) – Initiative

Bess Wohl (US) – Liberation

The winner of the 48th Annual Prize will be announced on 26 February 2026 at the Royal Court Theatre in London with a special presentation and celebration. The winner will be awarded $25,000 and will also receive a signed print by renowned artist Willem de Kooning, created especially for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. A Special Commendation of $10,000 may be given at the discretion of the judges, and each finalist will receive $5,000.