The Barbour Award was created in 2007 to celebrate new work for the theatre. For this annual event, EAG partners with one local theatre company, playwriting program, or playwrights collective. Our partnering company nominates three playwrights to be finalists for the award and then we work together to present a staged reading of one not-yet-produced play by each finalist at our unique and historic theatre at Guild Hall (1 East 29th Street, NYC 10016). The Award culminates in one playwright receiving a $500 cash prize for their work.
Our 2026 Partner Company: CROSS/CUT Theatre Collective
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The CROSS/CUT Theatre Collective's mission is to champion an inclusive group of collaborative playwrights and performing artists from diverse backgrounds who collectively will cross over borders and cut through boundaries to create, develop, and produce new stage works resulting in productions that will entertain, enlighten, and empower audiences. The CROSS/CUT Theatre Collective's process for success is simple: Know the rules, then break them.
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2026 Barbour Award finalists
Beth Harpaz
with her play Susan and Her Daughters: A Modern Fiddler Thursday, June 4 Susan is a Jewish advice columnist overwhelmed by letters from families in turmoil over the Israel-Gaza conflict. And now her own family is reeling: One daughter is a Free Palestine activist, another daughter is a Zionist, and a third has moved to a Muslim country. Susan seeks guidance from Biblical spirits, but instead she’s haunted by the ghost of an editor from the early 1900s — and by the complicated legacy of her late husband, who left Israel as a young man and never went back.
Beth Harpaz recently retired from a long career in journalism (including 30 years at The Associated Press) to pursue playwriting. In the past 18 months, she's had a dozen short pieces produced by festivals, theaters, and podcasts in NYC, Chicago, London, and elsewhere. She lives in Brooklyn. |
B. Stewart
and their play "F.O.T.N." - A White Savior Comedy Monday, June 15 A Meta-comedy about the white, powerful trendsetter, closeted Gay, and Harlem-Loving-Ally, Carl Van Vechten. Set in the period of the Harlem Renaissance, it tells the story how Carl lost his standing in the Black Community after writing his notorious novel N***ER HEAVEN, all taking place as a mock-trial in Carl’s nightmare. His sexual secrets and Black-Allyship are put to the test, as Carl attempts to defend and understand his motivations.
B. STEWART: Jesus in a Beehive (Pick of the Week-NYTimes). A Memory Play (“Best of the Festival” @ The MidTown International Theater Festival and Workshop Theater's Mainstage). Fabulous Darshan! @ The Workshop Theater's Mainstage, and listed as “Top Plays Of The Year”@ Indie Theater Now. American Inheritance: Finalist, Kennedy Center’s Fund. Carol of Carroll Gardens: BroadwayCon, Clamour Theatre, Depot Theater. Let the Chips Fall Where They May: A COVID Play: OOTB Theatrics & Holmdel Theater Company. Bethesda @ANDTheater Company. 1969:The Fabled Rock Weekend That Changed America! @Patchogue Theater's Reading Series as co-writer of the musical's book. Presently: Meta-comedy-nightmare about the white, Harlem Renaissance trendsetter, Carl Van Vechten, titled: “F.O.T.N.” -A White Savior Comedy. |
David Masello
with his play Poetic Justice Thursday, June 25 NYC, early 80’s. The specter of AIDS looms. A single poem dramatically changes the lives of all concerned. An unexpected set of circumstances begins an intriguing journey for a young poet who meets Howard Moss (actual poetry editor of the New Yorker and noted poet) and the men who populate his literary and romantic worlds. The budding poet also befriends the city’s most notorious Mafia don, a talented poet himself and a man more connected to the young man’s past than he could have imagined.
David Masello has made his living as a writer and editor ever since moving to NYC after college graduation. He began his career as a nonfiction book editor at Simon & Schuster, followed by senior editorial positions at many magazines, including Travel + Leisure, Departures, Country Living, and Town & Country. He’s currently editor in chief of Art & Antiques and executive editor of Milieu. As a widely published essayist and poet, his pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fine Art Connoisseur, Best American Essays, and numerous literary and art magazines. His plays and monologues have been staged in New York City at ANDTheatre Company, The Players Theatre, Winterlight Productions, National Arts Club, et al. He has published three books about art and architecture and lectured on writing about art and journalism at many colleges. David is a member of the National Arts Club, where he serves as co-chair of the theatre committee. |
The Barbour Award was established and endowed by Janet Barbour Carhart, Alison Barbour Fox, and from a portion of the gift left to EAG by Mr. Thomas Barbour’s estate. All proceeds from the staged readings of the Barbour finalists’ plays goes directly to supporting future Barbour Awards.
Thomas Barbour was a dedicated supporter of the theatre, emerging playwrights, and the Episcopal Actors’ Guild. On stage and screen, Mr. Barbour had a prolific acting career, including featured roles in Arthur with Dudley Moore and The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones. Off-stage, Mr. Barbour worked tirelessly on behalf of EAG, serving many years as Treasurer and Vice-President. Under his leadership, the Guild’s scholarship program grew from two annual awards of $500 to five annual awards of $1,000. Mr. Barbour also co-founded Polaris North and was a long-time member of the Perry Street Block Association.
Thomas Barbour was a dedicated supporter of the theatre, emerging playwrights, and the Episcopal Actors’ Guild. On stage and screen, Mr. Barbour had a prolific acting career, including featured roles in Arthur with Dudley Moore and The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones. Off-stage, Mr. Barbour worked tirelessly on behalf of EAG, serving many years as Treasurer and Vice-President. Under his leadership, the Guild’s scholarship program grew from two annual awards of $500 to five annual awards of $1,000. Mr. Barbour also co-founded Polaris North and was a long-time member of the Perry Street Block Association.
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Past Award Winners
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"Lakshmi Counts Her Arms and Legs" by Holly Hepp-Galvan, of the Barbour Award 2025
"Kilonova" by Jon Krupp, winner of the 2022 Barbour Award
"Are You There Truman?" by Garrett David Kim, winner of the 2021 Barbour Award
"Black Doves" by Reynaldo Piniella, winner of the 2019 Barbour Award
"The Andrew Play" by Alexis Roblan, winner of the 2018 Barbour Award
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Questions?
Director of Operations and Development Rebecca Lovett can help with the Barbour Award.
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The Episcopal Actors' Guild of America, Inc.
1 East 29th Street - New York, NY 10016 - (212) 685-2927 The Episcopal Actors' Guild (est. 1923) provides emergency aid and support to professional performers of all faiths and none who are undergoing financial crisis. We are also dedicated to helping emerging artists advance their careers through scholarships, awards, and performance opportunities. All services are strictly confidential. Review our Privacy Policy. Photography by Ahron R. Foster |
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