The Joseph Jefferson Award Committee (Jeff Awards) announces that certain New Works participating in the National New Play Network Rolling Premier Program (www.NNPN.org) will be eligible for Jeff Awards consideration.

Jeff Awards Chair David Liesse states, “The Jeff Awards has always encouraged the work done by playwrights in developing new scripts.  We are cognizant of the funding now available through NNPN to support these playwrights in continuing to refine their works through multiple premieres in multiple cities.  By addressing this issue, we are committed to the support of this creative process.”

Following requests from Chicago-area playwrights and theaters participating in the program, and after extensive discussions, the Committee has approved the following determination: For a rolling premiere to be eligible for an award in the “new works” categories, the work must be a part of the National New Play Network.  The script must remain the same throughout the entire Chicago run.  It may not be altered during the Chicago run.  The production must be advertised as a part of the National New Play Network and must be referenced as such in the application for judging submitted to the Jeff Awards Committee.  The production must also meet the other existing eligibility requirements for consideration (such as having the minimum number of performances). For a list of upcoming productions opening in Chicago under the NNPN program, please visit http://nnpn.org/programs/rolling-world-premieres.

This rule will become effective for non-Equity productions premiering on or after April 1, 2016 and for Equity productions premiering on or after August 1, 2016.