The International Theatermakers Award is given with the purpose of recognizing the critical contribution of theatremakers from around the world to the American theatre in spite of the barriers they face to work in the United States. Among this year’s five recipients are Dramatists Guild members Nkenna Akunna and Tidtaya Sinutoke.

The award, a partnership between The Playwrights Realm and Dyer Harris LLP, seeks to expand the participation of international theatremakers who are underrepresented in the American theatre industry by providing free of charge legal assistance by Dyer Harris LLP in applying for an O-1B artist visa.

The international panel of judges selected five honorees from a pool of 30 applicants representing nineteen countries and five continents. As per The Playwrights Realm mission, at least one theatermaker must be a playwright; of this year’s five winners, three are playwrights.