Englewood, FL – The Hermitage Artist Retreat has chosen Madeleine George as the recipient of the Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA). Established by the Hermitage in 2021 and supported by the Kutya Major Foundation, the HMTA is one of the largest nonprofit theatre commissions in the United States. The award includes a six-week residency at the Hermitage, a cash prize of $35,000, and a developmental workshop in a major arts capital such as New York, Chicago, or London in the fall of 2023.
“Amidst such a brilliant group of finalists, the inaugural award committee was faced with an incredibly difficult decision in determining a recipient for this award,” said Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “Madeleine George is one of the American theatre’s most gracious and gifted talents, and we’re honored to present her with the HMTA. The heart and humor in her writing is enhanced by her generous spirit and her deep passion for the theatre.”
The prize was originally awarded to Radha Blank in December 2021. With Blank unable to fulfill the commission due to conflicting professional commitments, the inaugural award committee reconvened to endorse George from among four distinguished finalists.
“I was surprised and thrilled to get the news about the Hermitage Major Theater Award,” said George. “It’s such an honor to be joining in the Hermitage’s awe-inspiring family of artists, and I’m excited to have resources and time to put towards my commissioned play, which has been on my mind for a while and which I’m eager to share with the world.”
The other finalists for the 2021 HMTA included Eisa Davis, an Obie-winning multi-disciplinary theatremaker, and Luis Alfaro, an accomplished playwright and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. Each has been awarded a Hermitage residency and fellowship, in addition to a cash prize of $1,000. Theatremaker and director Shariffa Ali was awarded the HMTA in the spring of 2022, and her commission is also expected to receive a developmental workshop in the fall of 2023.
The 2021 HMTA Award Committee included Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright and past DG Council President Doug Wright; Tony nominee and Obie-winning director Leigh Silverman; and Tony nominee and Obie-winning stage and screen director Liesl Tommy.