Nabers was presented with the David Charles Horn Prize, a cash award of $10,000. A staged reading of the play, directed by Carolyn Cantor, follows the presentation.
Nabers' play was selected by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman ('night, Mother; The Bridges of Madison County) from 1,638 entries from 41 countries.
As winner of the competition, Serial Black Face will be published by Yale University Press.
Here's how the play is described: "In Serial Black Face it's Atlanta 1979. A serial killer is on the loose and a single black mother's relationship with her young daughter grows more hostile when a handsome stranger enters their lives." This year's runner-up is Meny Beriro for Excellent Souls. Adam Szymkowicz received honorable mention for Rare Birds.
“I was very pleased to judge the 2014 Yale Drama Series, the writing competition established by Francine Horn to honor her husband David Charles Horn,” Norman said in a previous statement. "Janine Nabers is an extraordinary writer — powerful and funny and brave. This work is unsettling to read, but even as you read it, you know it is true. The crackling dialogue and the unswerving honesty are beautiful to experience. The character of Vivian will always be with me now. I am eager for Serial Black Face to have the production it deserves."
"I am incredibly honored by this prestigious award, and I'm humbled to be included in a long list of fearless and undeniably talented writers," Nabers added. "Serial Black Face... tackles a time in America that has been gravely overlooked. I'm happy that this award can give voice to that time. To be a recipient of the Yale Drama Series Award is a privilege."
Nabers' plays include Annie Bosh is Missing, Welcome to Jesus, A Swell in the Ground, the book to the Sylvia Plath/Ted Hughes musical Mrs. Hughes and the book to the Kate Nash/Andy Blankenbuehler musical Only Gold.
Serial Black Face was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons as one of their Kate and Seymour Weingarten Commissions.
The Claire Tow Theater is located at 150 West 65th Street. Visit yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/drama.asp for more information.
