NextStop Theatre Honored by International Centre for Women Playwrights

For the second consecutive year, NextStop Theatre has been honored with the 50/50 Applause Award by the International Centre for Women Playwrights. This prestigious award recognizes theatres that produced 50% or more women playwrights in their 2015/16 season of shows. ICWP defines 50/50 by the number of qualifying performances in a theatre's season.

In a theatrical season that featured the DC Women's Voices Festival, NextStop was one of only five theatre companies (NextStop Theatre, Round House Theatre, Imagination Stage, Theatre Alliance, Rep Stage) in the DC area that was recognized for the 2015/2016 season. NextStop was also listed (along with Round House Theatre) as one of an even smaller number of companies to receive the award for two consecutive years.

"We are deeply honored to have once again been recognized by the ICWP with the 50/50 Applause Award," said Producing Artistic Director Evan Hoffmann. "Gender parity is a badge of honor that we are proud to wear. Furthermore, I am pleased to report that the same parity was present among the talented men and women who directed the 2015/2016 productions."

For the awards' 5th anniversary, ICWP recognized 107 recipients in ten countries on five continents. The list includes theatres in Australia, Canada, England, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States. Approximately 32% of the theatres are repeat recipients, demonstrating gender parity in two or more seasons. Recipients range from community and college theatres to internationally renowned theatres. Meet some of the theatres in the ICWP celebration video. http://www.womenplaywrights.org/50-50-awards-video-2016

For several years, the international performing arts industry has been scrutinized for its underrepresentation of women playwrights as well as women in leadership positions in theatre. According to the League of Professional Theatre Women's (LPTW) 2015 study "Women Count: Women Hired Off-Broadway 2010-2015", women playwrights were produced 28%-36% of the time. Among ten Australian theatres, 39% of original and adapted works were by women (The National Voice 2106, Australian Writers Guild). The UK's Purple Seven study "Gender in Theatre" of 2012-2015 seasons reported 28% of playwrights were female.

Though these numbers are higher than they have been in the past, women playwrights are still not receiving their due, and there are many potential reasons. The LPTW study points out that new works by women are more likely to be produced today than those by women in the past, although there are many classic women playwrights. The AWG cites that commissioned adaptations are where women are making the least amount of headway.

About NextStop Theatre Company:

Launching it's fourth professional season this month, NextStop Theatre Company is just moments away from Historic Downtown Herndon, Dulles Airport, Reston Town Center, and the Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. The company has established a strong regional reputation for producing critically acclaimed productions and educational programs, while showcasing a wide array of local talent, Broadway headliners, and locally-driven arts relevant to the community.

NextStop Theatre is made possible in part by generous grants from: The Town of Herndon, The Ruth & Hal Launders Charitable Trust, The Nelson J. & Katherine Friant Post Foundation, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia - Seeley Fund, The Arts Council Fairfax County, The Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, and NextStop's loyal patron donors.

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