2011 Nominees for Outstanding Playwright

2011 eligibility for nomination: Any Washington State based playwright, regardless of union status, who has had his/her play fully mounted in Washington State during the 2010-2011 season.

	Kelleen Conway Blanchard *People’s Choice Nominee Hearts are Monsters, Macha Monkey Productions From the nomination panel: “Kelleen is one of the true treasures of Seattle theatre. We are very fortunate to have her in our midst.”
	YUSSEF EL GUINDI – RECIPIENT Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World, ACT Theatre From the nomination panel: “This play blew me away. I’ve been in love with it since I saw it last summer at the Icicle Creek reading, and I love it even more now. It’s intelligent, smart, and human. It shows dramatic tension and relationships and cultural difference and a situation like this could be turned toward angst-ridden drama, but el Guindi doesn’t go there, for which I am highly thankful. Instead, he shows the potential for good. It’s sweet, but not sappy; heart-warming, but realistic. All the ends aren’t tied up, but there is optimistic potential for everybody by the end, and I left feeling happy, empowered, and a little bit different.”
	Neil Ferron Fabulous Prizes, The Satori Group From the nomination panel: “What an impressive breakout for young playwright star Neil Ferron! I can’t wait to see what more he has in store for us!”
	Elizabeth Kenny Sick, New City Theater From the nomination panel: “Courageous, intensely theatrical and quietly moving. I can’t get this show out of my head.”
	John Longenbaugh Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, Taproot Theatre From the nomination panel: “A traditional structure with some very fresh, well realized and satisfying exploration of self-knowledge. A new holiday show that felt welcome.”
	Scotto Moore *Members’ Voice Nominee Duel of the Linguist Mages, Annex Theatre From the nomination panel: “Making the insanely absurd completely enthralling.”