Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting
Janet Riley, long-time theatre patron, former board member and past president of the Friends of the Theatre organization, and emeritus staff member at KU, established the Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting in 1991 to honor her husband, Gerhard Zuther (1930 – 1987).
Dr. Zuther was a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Kansas and served as the Chair of the Department from 1979-1984. He taught both Shakespeare and Modern Drama courses and loved to attend the theatre. He was collaborating on a production of Hamlet with the University Theatre at the time of his death.
The Fund is used to provide an award to a graduate or an undergraduate in the Department who has an interest in and promise in playwriting. The candidates must submit a synopsis and writing excerpt and must apply by February 1 for award consideration. The award is presented by vote of the faculty of the Department.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Jenny Sledge Harris |
| 2020 | Alysha Griffin, Chris Pendry |
| 2019 | Hunter Hill, Jenny Sledge |
| 2018 | Christian Boudreaux |
| 2017 | Taylor McTague |
| 2016 | Chris Martin |
| 2015 | Danny Devlin |
| 2014 | Brian Laurence Buntin |
| 2013 | Thom Browne |
| 2012 | Scott Cox |
| 2011 | Danny Devlin |
| 2010 | Scott Cox |
| 2009 | Tosin Morohunfola |
| 2008 | Adam Burnett |
| 2007 | Michael Bales, Thomas Middleton |
| 2006 | Adam Burnett |
| 2005 | Brandon Ford, Brian Pearson |
| 2004 | Robert Sokol, Brian Woodman |
| 2003 | Nicole González, Paul Shoulberg |
| 2002 | Julie Pearson-Little Thunder |
| 2001 | David-Michael Allen |
| 2000 | Aneikit Bonnel |
| 1999 | Joel Franklin, Jared Hamilton |
| 1998 | Steve Willingham |
| 1997 | Karen Dillon, Don M. Schawang |
| 1996 | Nick Miller-Schlyer |
| 1995 | Don M. Schawang |
| 1994 | Jaimie Carswell |
| 1993 | Sandy Saltzstein |
| 1992 | Darrin Lile |
| 1991 | Jon M. Ciccolini |
