A.K. Payne Wins 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize

a.k. payne has been awarded the 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for their play 'Furlough’s Paradise' during a ceremony at Playwrights Horizons in New York. The prize, which recognizes women+ playwrights in English-speaking theatre, includes a $25,000 cash award and a signed print by Willem de Kooning. 'Furlough’s Paradise,' described as a lyrical exploration of grief, follows two cousins reuniting for a funeral while navigating their complex past. The play premiered at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in 2024 and has garnered praise for its poignant storytelling amid contemporary societal issues. Alongside payne's win, special commendations were awarded to '49 Days' by Haruna Lee and 'An Oxford Man' by Else Went, with additional finalists also recognized. The prize aims to honor and uplift underrepresented voices in theatre, particularly in a challenging socio-political climate.