David A. Einhorn was the co-founder of Untitled Theater Company No. 61. This prize is to commemorate his work, with a special emphasis on supporting an American playwright or librettist 30 or older (citizens or legal residents) who has been working independently for at least 5 years, producing work independently without the support of large institutional theaters.

We are looking for work that resonates with the mission of the theater company, tackling ideas (political, scientific, and philosophical). Stylistically, we are looking for work that connects to classic absurdist theater and playwrights such as Ionesco, Beckett, and Havel. Humor is a very important stylistic element, as well as an overt theatricality.

Plays submitted should be 15 – 45 minutes in length (2,500 – 7,500 words).  If it is a libretto with music, we are looking for a work approximately 15 minutes in length.  If it is a libretto without music, the same length as for the play should apply.

The prize will be $2,000, split in two parts. $1,000 will go directly to the playwright, and there will be a $1,000 pledge towards the future production of one of the playwright’s works. There will also be a January 26, 2025 reading of the play or libretto, as part of our 30th anniversary celebration

There is no restriction in terms of previous development/production.

Document 1 is a script. Playwrights are requested to submit anonymously, so please be sure no name appears on the script. In the same document, please include a paragraph about the central idea of the play and how the work explores it.

Document 1a is for those who are submitting a libretto or a play with music.  Please attach or include a link to sample music (just music or preferably a recording of music and lyrics).  PLEASE NOTE: try to keep it all as anonymous as possible, so a link to your clearly marked YouTube account is less than ideal.  Dropbox or similar is fine, as is an attachment of course.

Document 2 is a history of independently produced work, in which the playwright was in some way involved in the process of production. It should include at least three productions over the span of at least five years. This should also be submitted anonymously. You can also include a future planned production which would benefit from the $1,000 pledge (though it is not required that you have that production planned).

Examples of independently produced work that applies: a theater (or opera) company for which the playwright is Artistic Director or Co-Artistic Director or similar position.  A stand-alone production where the playwright was responsible for financial/logistical elements of the show, or for which they shared that responsibility.  Something that would not qualify: a one-act evening where the playwright simply submitted a script.  

Finally, be sure to include your name and contact information (email and phone) either in the body of the email or in a separate document.

Submissions are open from October 1  – November 4.  Script submissions are capped at 120. Submissions should be sent to utc61submissions@gmail.com

Results of the 2022 Awards:

1st Prize: Human Resources, by Matthew Minnicino. Directed by Edward Einhorn. Two mid-level employees in a dystopia discuss their day, politics, poetry, and the quality of the sandwiches from Sandwich Vending Kiosk 6B dash 2 (they're pretty good!).

2nd Prize: 等一下 děng yīxià (wait a little), by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin. Directed by Chongren Fan. Oak and Marbles know how to make things grow, but somehow they keep forgetting. In this surrealist examination of Asian American community building, three generations must figure out how to persevere and survive.

Performed by Craig Anderson, Maggie Cino, Lydia Gaston, Sara Rahman, Yvonne Roen, and Ann Marie Yoo.

Honorable Mentions were Julia Pascal for her play Old Newland and Alexander Hehr for his play Biodegradable Seagulls.

David A. Einhorn was the Co-Founder of Untitled Theater Company No. 61, and he served as board treasurer throughout the company’s history.  His vision helped shape the vision of the company throughout.  He was also an intellectual property attorney, whose career spanned over 30 years, after graduating from Columbia Law School.  He was also a Lieutenant Colonel JAG (Judge Advocate General) officer for the NY Guard. He was part of the rescue efforts after the 9/11 attacks for which he was awarded the Defense of Liberty Medal.