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The Relentless Award, established in honor of Philip Seymour Hoffman and his pursuit of truth in the theater, is the largest annual cash prize in American theater awarded to a playwright in recognition of a new play.
We're thrilled to announce the winner of
The 2026 Relentless Award:
Humane Traps by Nadia Hopkins!
See all of this year's honorees here.
Upcoming Events
The Verbatim Salon
October 14 | Theatre Row
The Verbatim Salon is a monthly public event where actors share stories from interviews recorded with people interacting with the US immigration system. These stories are performed using an in-ear verbatim technique. Actors listen in real time to the recordings via headphones as they speak the words aloud in front of the audience. Learn more
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The 2026 Relentless Award Celebration
November 16 | Theatre Row
Join us on Monday, November 16th to celebrate the honorees of the 2026 Relentless Award. The evening will feature an exclusive first look at the winning play as well as appearances by special guests, plus, your ticket includes access to the afterparty. We hope to see you there!
“People on the lookout for fierce talent and boldly adventuresome plays have learned to take a cue from the Relentless Award.”
—The New York Times
“At a moment when the impulse of young writers is to craft plays that are small, tidy and producible, the Relentless Award celebrates writing that disrupts and up-ends our notions of what can be presented on the American stage. We are looking for brave, fearless and imaginative writers, who despite the tug of the industry at large, remain unabashedly true to their own voices.”
—LYNN NOTTAGE,
Two-Time Pulitzer Winner,
Relentless Selection Committee
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