Mari Marchbanks News

Horton Foote Prize founder Mari Marchbanks announced today she will step down as Executive Director of the Horton Foote Prize. Valerie Brea Ross, Administrative Director of the Horton Foote Prize, will take over the role of Executive Director starting in January 2024. Ms. Marchbanks will continue her role as chair of the Prize board. 

On Monday night, The Horton Foote Prize held their first in person ceremony since 2018 honoring Christina Anderson, the 2022 winner. Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights and Ms. Anderson's former teachers and mentors, Paula Vogel and Lynn Nottage, presented Christina with $50,000 and a limited edition of Keith Carter’s iconic photograph of Horton Foote.

Mari Marchbanks (Founder and Executive Director) has announced that the 2022 Horton Foote Prize has been awarded to Christina Anderson for her play the ripple, the wave that carried me home.

Mari Marchbanks (Founder and Executive Director) announced today that The 2020 Horton Foote Prize has been awarded to Lloyd Suh for his play The Chinese Lady. Awarded since 2010, the biennial prize is named in honor of the late playwright, and recognizes excellence in American theatre. 

Yesterday, October 15th at The Lotos Club (5 East 66th Street, New York City), the 2018 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, were celebrated for excellence in American theater. The 2018 Prize for Outstanding New American Play, presented to a work produced in the 2016-17 or 2017-18 seasons, was awarded to Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee. The 2018 Prize for Promising New American Play, presented to a previously unproduced work, was awarded to India Pale Ale by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Mari Marchbanks announced today the 2018 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the late playwright, which recognizes excellence in American theater. The 2018 Prize for Outstanding New American Play, presented to a work produced in the 2016-17 or 2017-18 seasons, is awarded to Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee. The 2018 Prize for Promising New American Play, presented to a previously unproduced work, is awarded to India Pale Ale by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Just last night, Jordan Harrison (Marjorie Prime) and Zayd Dohrn (The Profane) were presented with the 2016 Horton Foote Prize for Outstanding New American Play and Promising New American Play, respectively. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos below!

Mari Marchbanks (Founder and Executive Director) announced today the 2016 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the late playwright, which recognizes excellence in American theater.

The 2014 recipients of the Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the legendary writer, to award excellence in American Theater, are presented biennially. The 2014 Prize for the 2012-13/2013-14 seasons' Outstanding New American Play is awarded to The Body of an American by Dan O'Brien. The 2014 Prize for Promising New American Play is awarded to Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, & 3) by Suzan-Lori Parks.

Mari Marchbanks announced today the 2014 recipients of the Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the legendary writer, to award excellence in American Theater. Presented biennially, the 2014 Prize for the 2012-13/2013-14 seasons' Outstanding New American Play is awarded to The Body of an American by Dan O'Brien. The 2014 Prize for Promising New American Play is awarded to Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, & 3) by Suzan-Lori Parks.

The Horton Foote Prizes, named in honor of the legendary writer, were established in 2010 to award excellence in American Theater. Presented last night, the first Horton Foote Prize was awarded to Ruined by Lynn Nottage for Outstanding New American Play and Middletown by Will Eno for Promising New American Play.This year's recipients are David Lindsay-Abaire's GOOD PEOPLE for Outstanding New American Play, along with Naomi Wallace's THE LIQUID PLAIN for Promising New American Play. Check out photos from this year's celebration below!

The Horton Foote Prizes, named in honor of the legendary writer, were established in 2010 to award excellence in American Theater. Presented biennially, the first Horton Foote Prize was awarded to Ruined by Lynn Nottage for Outstanding New American Play and Middletown by Will Eno for Promising New American Play.

Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN - which will receive its World-Premiere at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) with previews beginning October 13, and opening officially on November 3 - is the inaugural recipient of the newly established Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play, it was announced by Mari Marchbanks, Founder and Executive Director of The Horton Foote Prize.

Playwrights Lynn Nottage and Will Eno were joined by Edward Albee, Elizabeth Ashley, André Bishop, Arthur French, Carlin Glynn, Tony Kushner, Jim Houghton, Peter Masterson, David Margulies, Charles Mee, Christopher Shinn, Lois Smith and Diane Foote, Hallie Foote and Horton Foote, Jr., among others to receive Horton Foote Prizes for Outstanding New American Play and Promising New American Play respectively.

Playwrights Lynn Nottage and Will Eno will be joined by Edward Albee, Elizabeth Ashley, André Bishop, Arthur French, Carlin Glynn, Tony Kushner, Jim Houghton, Peter Masterson, David Margulies, Charles Mee, Christopher Shinn, Lois Smith and Diane Foote, Hallie Foote and Horton Foote, Jr., among others.

Playwrights Lynn Nottage and Will Eno will be joined by Edward Albee, Elizabeth Ashley, André Bishop, Arthur French, Carlin Glynn, Tony Kushner, Jim Houghton, Peter Masterson, David Margulies, Charles Mee, Christopher Shinn, Lois Smith and Diane Foote, Hallie Foote and Horton Foote, Jr., among others.

Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN - which will receive its World-Premiere at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) with previews beginning October 13, and opening officially on November 3 - is the inaugural recipient of the newly established Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play, it was announced by Mari Marchbanks, Founder and Executive Director of The Horton Foote Prize.

Mari Marchbanks (Founder and Executive Director) announced today the inaugural recipients of the newly established Horton Foote Prizes, named in honor of the legendary writer, to award excellence in American Theater. Presented biennially, the first Horton Foote Prize is awarded to Ruined by Lynn Nottage for Outstanding New American Play and Middletown by Will Eno for Promising New American Play.

The Horton Foote Prize, a new award named after the legendary writer, which will be presented to an American playwright who has written an original work of exceptional quality, will be inaugurated this coming Fall (2010). The award, which will carry a cash prize of $30,000 and which will be awarded on a bi-annual basis, will be funded by the Austin, Texas-based Greg and Mari Marchbanks Family Foundation. Mari Marchbanks is the Founder of The Horton Foote Prize and will serve as its Executive Director. Shortly before his death last March at the age of 92, Mr. Foote gave his blessing to this eponymous award.