David Henry Hwang to Present 2017 Kesselring Prize to Lauren Yee

The National Arts Club announced that Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang will present the 2017 Kesselring Prize to Lauren Yee at an award ceremony on Sunday, November 5, in the Grand Gallery of the National Arts Club.

Yee's plays include In a Word, The Hatmaker's Wife, and King of the Yees. Her newest play, The Great Leap, will be produced this season by Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle Rep, and Atlantic Theater Company. The award ceremony will include readings of select scenes from Yee's plays. Golden Globe-winning actor Regina Taylor will be guest speaker for the evening.

Hwang's 1988 play M. Butterfly is currently in revival at Cort Theatre.

Established in 1980 by Charlotte Kesselring, widow of playwright Joseph Kesselring, the Kesselring Prize is intended to honor and support young writers who are not as yet nationally recognized, and provide them with an honorarium and indirect support toward development of their work. Yee will receive $25,000 and an opportunity to reside for two weeks in the clubhouse of the National Arts Club in order to develop her work.

Yee was selected for the prize by a jury that included playwright John Guare, Lincoln Center Theater dramaturg Anne Cattaneo, and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.