Kirk Prize

The Baylor New Play Initiative champions the creation of bold new American theatre by featuring readings of four new plays by emerging and established artists from across the country, culminating in the awarding of the $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize. 

“We are deeply grateful to Preston and Ronda Dale Kirk for their incredible vision and generosity in studying, planning and bringing to life this legacy project – a premier U.S. playwrights festival – at their alma mater, Baylor University,” said Carla Neuss, co-chair of the BNPI committee. “The Kirks’ objectives are clear and enduring, not only for Baylor and our Theatre Arts Department, but for our students to have fresh opportunities in the academic and artistic fields of theatre study, for the City of Waco as a significant metropolitan center for the theatrical arts and for emerging playwrights to generate engaging, entertaining, profitable and successful original plays for stages worldwide.”

The first Kirk New Play Prize was awarded during the 2025 Festival to Jack Angelo Cummings for his play & Sons. Read the Baylor Lariat’s story on the play here.