PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE NEWWORKS and MILDRED and ALBERT PANOWSKI Playwriting Competition

Read the press release here!

Learn more about the partnership and how to submit a work.

Information about the Panowski Playwriting Competition

The Playwriting Award was established in 1977 at Northern Michigan University. From 1978 through 1993, the Shiras Institute, a prominent Upper Michigan philanthropic fund, participated in this event, which was known as the Shiras Institute/Forest Roberts Theatre Playwriting Award. Beginning with the fourteenth annual competition, Dr. James A. Panowski, director of the Forest Roberts Theatre, provided financial assistance for the competition in memory of his parents, Albert and Mildred Panowski. In 1993, Dr. Panowski became the sole benefactor of the competition, which now bears the name of his parents. The award is designed to encourage and stimulate artistic growth among educational and professional playwrights. It provides students and faculty the unique opportunity to mount and produce an original work on the university stage. The playwright will benefit from seeing the work on its feet in front of an audience and from professional adjudication by guest critic.

Past Competition Winners                                                                           

 

YearTitlePlaywright
2021A Complicated HopeJohn Mabey
2020no winner 
2018no winner 
2016Building MadnessKate Danley
2014A Paper Tiger in the RainDavid J. Swanson
2012BearsMark Rigney
2010no winner 
2008Tracks in the SnowNeil McGowan
2007no winner 
2006Tell-TaleRebecca Gorman
2005no winner 
2004Burning Mona Lisa in the Reptile HouseMark Rigney
2003A Rembrandt's EyesCynthia Holm
2002Everything's RelativeRichard Davis, Jr.
2001GhostsGeorge Sapio
2000The Seventh MonarchJim Henry
1999no winner 
1998The One-Eyed Man Is KingCarter Lewis
1997no winner 
1996EdgarDavid Grimm
1995Doin' Time at the AlamoMary Hanes
1994no winner 
1993The Night the War Came HomeHindi Brooks
1992The Black PopeWarren Sherlock
1991BeastSusan Arnout Smith
1990BravadoJoan Garner
1989The Devil and All His WorksErnest Joselovitz
1988Franz and DoraHarold Lieberman
1987The Queen's KnightFrank Cossa
1986Father MosleyWilliam Hathaway
1985The King Has Gone to TenebraeGeorge Herman
1984Burial CustomsPhoef Sutton
1983Forgotten VerdictRichard Aellan
1982High Road, Low BridgeJoel Wyman
1981Fragments of an August NightRichard DeLong
1980The RipperTim Kelly
1978The King's ClownDavid Vando
1977The Spirit of Happy HollowPeg Kehret