Flynn and Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Publish 34-Play Democracy Anthology by Women+ Writers
Women+ on the Edge of Democracy is an anthology featuring contributions from 34 playwrights across 30 states, commissioned by the Flynn, Burlington, Vermont's performing arts center, in collaboration with the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. The playwrights were prompted to reflect on the current state of democracy in the United States. Jay Wahl, the Flynn's executive director, anticipated receiving six or seven submissions, but the final lineup includes notable names such as Heidi Schreck, Lynn Nottage, Sarah Ruhl, and Migdalia Cruz. Schreck's work, Searching for Elsie Parrish, was inspired during the Broadway performance of What the Constitution Means to Me. Nottage's piece critiques the treatment of vocal Black women during the Trump era. Performances commence on October 23, with a world premiere set for October 24. Nonprofits can enjoy waived licensing fees until November 3.
Key facts
- Women+ on the Edge of Democracy collects new plays by 34 female-identifying writers from 30 states
- The anthology was commissioned by the Flynn in Burlington, Vermont, with the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
- Heidi Schreck's contribution, Searching for Elsie Parrish, stems from a hotel maid's wage fight her mother raised during What the Constitution Means to Me
- Lynn Nottage's play addresses attacks on outspoken Black women, naming Letitia James, Jasmine Crockett, Fani Willis, and Lisa Cook
- Performances begin October 23, with all works staged in a world premiere at the Flynn on October 24
- Nonprofits can license anthology plays free through November 3, before the midterm elections
- A federal judge ruled unconstitutional President Trump's proposed $100 million cut to humanities organizations
- All the Rage, coordinated by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, staged work by over 70 female and nonbinary writers in London in June 2026
Entities
Artists
- Heidi Schreck
- Lynn Nottage
- Sarah Ruhl
- Migdalia Cruz
- Leslie Swackhamer
- Jay Wahl
- Rebecca Lenkiewicz
- Letitia James
- Jasmine Crockett
- Fani Willis
- Lisa Cook
- Elsie Parrish
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- The Flynn
- Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Vogue
- Federal Reserve System
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
- New York Attorney General
- U.S. Congress
Locations
- Burlington
- Vermont
- United States
- Reading
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Georgia
- London
- United Kingdom