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Submissions are now open for the 2026 Leah Prize! Scroll down for instructions on how to submit.

All women, trans, and non-binary playwrights who consider themselves emerging (as distinct from fledgling or mid-career playwrights) are eligible to apply for The Leah.

Playwrights from all over the world are encouraged to apply, but the play must be written in English. Eligibility does not require that a submitted work adhere to the traditional three-act structure. One-acts, two-acts (even four-, five-, six- acts), monologues, adaptations, and any other wild (or deceptively tame) format will be considered with equal seriousness. The only absolute requirement is that the submitted text be a completed full-length work for theater. (We are not able to accept musicals submissions at this time.) 

Submissions are now open and and the submission deadline is January 12, 2026 or at 400 submissions.

There is no fee to apply.

The winner will be chosen by a reading committee selected by board members of the Leah Ryan Fund. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a public reading and summer workshop as part of the Powerhouse Theater Season at Vassar College in 2026.

Finalists will be contacted in March 2026, and will have one week within which to submit their full play.

Please follow these steps to apply:

*Click on the image below. You will be re-directed to the website for the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.

*Scroll down to the information about The Leah.

*Click on the APPLY ONLINE button.

*You will be taken to a new page where you will need to click on the CREATE NEW ACCOUNT button.

*Follow the steps to create and verify your account. Then you will be able to log in and submit your materials.
(Please note: if you are applying from outside the United States, you will need to enter a US state abbreviation in the state field of the application – eg: NY.)

*Your submission is complete when you receive a confirmation email.

*We are only able to accept one submission per applicant. 

If you have any questions please contact Project Coordinator Dev Bondarin at dev@leahryanfund.org