The 16th Street Foundation and Company 16 have officially announced the second installment of the Cooper Prize, a prestigious award designed to spotlight original and bold theatrical voices.
This prize serves as a beacon for works that might otherwise remain unheard, emphasizing the power of the arts to challenge and awaken audiences.
Seeking to counter a culture of conformity, the award offers playwrights the rare freedom to explore controversial or difficult ideas with full creative integrity.
The foundation values independent thought and the capacity for artists to create work that lives meaningfully within a shared sense of dignity.
Participants are invited to submit material responding to prompts inspired by Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.
These prompts encourage writers to grapple with the power of truth, the battle between faith and doubt, and the question of whether suffering is redemptive or meaningless.
Funding and benefits
The winning playwright will receive a significant $20,000 AUD prize and will have their work considered for a full commission for production.
This substantial award is intended to provide the financial freedom necessary for writers to “ride the unicorn home” and push through creative blocks.
In addition to the main prize, all finalists will receive a professionally directed public reading of their submitted scene.
These readings feature professional actors and provide writers with the essential opportunity to hear their work performed before a live audience.
Application requirements and eligibility
The competition is open internationally to both published and unpublished playwrights who seek to challenge assumptions in pursuit of beauty and truth.
The foundation looks for a diverse range of submissions that reflect an independence of thought and spirit.
To apply, authors must provide 10 pages of their play script alongside a one-page supporting document.
This document must include a synopsis of the work, an explanation of the author’s motivation, and a brief outline of the philosophical worldview that informs their writing.
Deadline
All applications must be submitted through the official online form no later than June 19th, 2026.
Submissions that do not strictly comply with the requirements will not be reviewed, and the foundation reserves the right to withhold the prize if entries do not meet their criteria.
To apply, visit The 16th Street Foundation call page. Visit our global opportunity page for.
Summary not available at this time.
