With his preamble "It is my object and desire to encourage and assist in developing the art of drama criticism and the stimulation of intelligent playgoing," the late George Jean Nathan provided in his will for a prize known as the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism. The prize consists of the annual net income of half of Mr. Nathan's estate, which "shall be paid to the American who has written the best piece of drama criticism during the theatrical year July 1 to June 30 , whether it is an article, an essay, treatise or book.
The trust is of such size that the prize is the richest and one of the most distinguished in the American theatre. In addition, the winner receives a trophy symbolic of, and attesting to, the award. The chair of the English department of Cornell University heads the selection committee. In recent years the committee has also included drama specialists from each university. Those eligible for the award are authors, critics, or reviewers who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and whose works are published in books, newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals, or in electronic form, or broadcast on television or radio programs.
Except for books, all entries for the prize must have been published in the United States. In view of Mr. It is the aim of the selection committee to foster the spirit of the award by honoring criticism which demonstrates the highest level of critical thinking about theatre. Although the selection committee will make an effort to review publications in which eligible work may appear, any author or publisher may submit eligible entries for the award to the appropriate members of the selection committee whose names and addresses are listed below.
The deadline for receipt of nominations is September 1, All materials submitted for the prize must have been published between July 1, and June 30, Digital versions of books will not be accepted.
Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged, except in the book category, and can be sent to vlb3 cornell. George Jean Nathan was the leading American drama critic of his time. Mencken, and zealously practiced "destructive" theatre criticism. Nathan wrote during the most important period of our theatre's history and set critical standards that are still being followed. In his will he established the annual George Jean Nathan Award for drama criticism. Initially Nathan was educated by tutors at home and while abroad.
