43rd William Inge Theatre Festival at William Inge Theatre

Emmy Award–winning writer, filmmaker, and playwright Qui Nguyen has been selected as the 2026 Playwright Honoree at the 43rd William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, Kansas. Nguyen will be presented with the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award at the Festival, which takes place April 23–25, 2026 in Independence, Kansas. The festival will celebrate Nguyen’s career, defined by originality, cultural impact, and fearless storytelling.

Nguyen, known for his vibrant blend of heartfelt narratives, pop-culture flair, and genre-bending theatrical style, has become one of the most influential voices in contemporary American theatre. With this award, the Inge Festival recognizes his authentic, adventurous, and deeply personal contributions to the stage and screen—works that enrich the landscape of American storytelling and speak powerfully to audiences of all ages.

A co-founder of the groundbreaking “geek theatre” company Vampire Cowboys, Nguyen has written numerous acclaimed plays including Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks, Bike Wreck, and a slate of celebrated Vampire Cowboys productions such as She Kills Monsters—recently honored with a 2024 Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival Gold Medallion Award—as well as Revenge Song, Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G, Alice in Slasherland, Fight Girl Battle World, and Living Dead in Denmark.

Beyond the stage, Nguyen’s storytelling prowess spans television and film, with credits for Marvel Studios, Netflix, AMC, SYFY, and PBS. He is the writer of Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, which earned a 2022 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, and served as co-director and writer for Disney’s Strange World. Nguyen is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America and serves on the board of New Dramatists.

“We are thrilled to honor Qui Nguyen for the adventurous spirit and heartfelt storytelling he brings to the American theatre,” said Ashley Hovell, Director of the William Inge Center for the Arts. “His unique voice, infused with humor, imagination, and cultural resonance, represents the very best of contemporary playwriting.”

The Festival, produced by Independence Community College, celebrates Nguyen’s achievements alongside performances, workshops, readings of new plays, and special events honoring the legacy of William Inge and the artists who continue to shape American theatre.

The Inge Festival is named for the Pulitzer Prize and Oscar winning dramatist William Inge (1913-1973), who is a native of Independence, a small town in southeast Kansas. Since its founding in 1981, the Inge Festival has welcomed to Independence Community College scores of accomplished writers, including Arthur Miller, Stephen Sondheim, Wendy Wasserstein, Lynn Nottage, and many others.

Prime sponsors of Festival events include Independence Community College, the Kansas Arts Commission, and the William Inge Festival Foundation. It is the Official Theater Festival of Kansas, as designated by the state legislature in 2009.

For further information, visit www.ingecenter.org.