The prize is a partnership between EKP and Paines Plough. It was launched at the National Theatre in November 2019.

In its first year the prize attracted 1,163 entries. Two First Prizes of £12,000 were awarded, to Amy Trigg for Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me and to Ahlam for You Bury Me – read full article by The Guardian. The judging panel for the 2020 prize was Adjoa Andoh, Monica Dolan, Sarah Frankcom, Ella Hickson, Mel Kenyon (Chair), Kate Pakenham, Maxine Peake, and Indhu Rubasingham.

The Principal Partner of The Women’s Prize for Playwriting is 45North and the prize is run in association with Sonia Friedman Productions. The official publishing partner of the prize is Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals company.

Submissions for The Women’s Prize for Playwriting will open in Spring 2021, and more information about the prize will be available soon on the prize’s website.

Read about the 2020 longlist.  Read Founder Ellie Keel’s latest interview on The Women’s Prize for Playwriting.