ASSITEJ Inspirational Playwrights 2024 - Tijana Grumić (Serbia); Mamby Mawine (Senegal); Mirna Sakhleh (Palestine)

Mirna Sakhleh

Tijana Grumić, (photo by Nebojša Babić)

Manby Mawine (photo by Francois Fogel)

The ASSITEJ Inspirational Playwrights awards were created by the Write Local Play Global network in collaboration with the ASSITEJ Executive Committee. We decided it was impossible to chose a ‘best’ playwright given the organization’s mosaic of countries, languages, and theatrical traditions. So we honor, at each Congress, three playwrights who have been and continue to be inspirational in their cities, countries, and regions. 

2024 had nominations for 19 playwrights from 15 countries writing in 11 languages, our most ever. 8 assessment panel members from 7 countries (including 5 playwrights) deliberated in February and March 2024. WLPG reached out broadly and emphasized that the award could go to playwrights at all parts of their careers.  We had considerable difficulty selecting only three – indeed, one of our panelists said all the writers deserved awards.

The three inspirational playwrights have all overcome obstacles, continue to write truth to our young audiences, and are committed to mentorship and expanding the reach of the work they do.  And they, and the assessment panel, believe in a recent ASSITEJ statement: - “In our World Congress we offer a space for all who come in the name of peace and connection, and who are working to create and share theatre and performance for a young audience.”