Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award 2024

The Award honors the life and work of Ryan Hudak. Ryan was a gay playwright, theater maker, filmmaker, and a valued member of NYFA’s staff who served on the executive and development teams. Tragically, Ryan passed away in May 2022 after a long battle with Leukemia at the age of 32. The Award is open to playwrights and screenwriters who live in New York State, including those who live within the five boroughs of New York City.

Award Information

• $8,000 cash grant.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a working playwright or screenwriter. Acceptable forms of playwriting or screenwriting include stage plays, screenplays, teleplays, libretti, radio plays, and audio dramas. No audio is accepted.
• Must self-identify as LGBTQ+.
• Must be a current full-time resident of New York State for a minimum of 12 months at the time applications close.
• Must be at least 25 years of age at the time the application closes.
• Cannot be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind.
• Can be past recipients of any NYFA grant or fellowship programs, except past recipients of the The Ryan Hudak LGBTQ+ Dramatic Writing Award.
• Cannot be a NYFA employee, members of the NYFA Board of Trustees or Artists’ Advisory Committee, and/or an immediate family member of any of the above.

Evaluation Criteria

• Applications should demonstrate creativity through their work samples, articulate the potential impact of receiving this award, and provide supporting statements that effectively convey their artistic vision. Eligible applications will be assessed by peer review panels according to the following evaluation criteria:
  • Artistic Merit: A competitive application’s artistic merit, originality, and creativity is clearly presented in the submitted manuscript. Quality of the writing, depth of themes explored, and innovation in storytelling will be considered.
  • Potential Impact of the Award: A competitive application should clearly articulate how receiving this award will significantly contribute to your artistic practice and/or career progression as a playwright or screenwriter in the Impact Statement.
  • Clarity of Supporting Statements: A competitive application ensures that your supporting statements are clear, concise, and compelling. Your Artist Statement should provide insight into your artistic vision, motivations, and creative process. If providing a Synopsis or Character Sheet, ensure they succinctly convey the essence of your work and characters.

For more information, visit New York Foundation for the Arts.