Ruby Yoshino Schaar Playwright Award

Ruby Yoshino Schaar Playwright Award
(A project of the National Japanese American Citizens League)

The New York Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League established the Ruby Yoshino Schaar Biennium Playwright Award in 1984 to encourage talented playwrights to tell the story of the Japanese American or Japanese Canadian experience in North America.


RUBY YOSHINO SCHAAR PLAYWRIGHT AWARD
(A project of the National Japanese American Citizens League)

The New York Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League established the Ruby Yoshino Schaar Biennium Playwright Award in 1984 to encourage talented playwrights to tell the story of the Japanese American or Japanese Canadian experience in North America.
Ruby Yoshino Schaar was a vocal artist, a teacher of voice and a fighter for social justice. During her lifetime, her vocal talents were always used to promote a positive image for those of Japanese ancestry.
At the start of her career in Alameda, California, Ruby participated in musical programs in her community and starred in student productions. She continued to pursue her studies in music at the University of California at Berkeley. The onset of World War II prevented the launching of her musical career.
Ruby moved to Denver. During the war years, she used her vocal talents in the service of her church. Sensitive to the problems that Nikkei would face in making new lives in unknown communities when they left internment camps, she worked with various groups to smooth their transition from these camps to the “outside” world.
In 1946, Ruby pursued her musical career in New York City. As one of the few Japanese American vocal artists performing at that time, she was a pioneer in paving the way for recognition of future Nikkei artists. Ruby also taught voice to many aspiring actors and actresses soon to achieve recognition. Ruby had a continuing interest and involvement in the theater, encouraging artists in pursuit of their goals.
In addition to her interests in the theater, Ruby was active in the Japanese American Citizens League and was instrumental in rejuvenating the New York Chapter. Ruby served for a number of years as president and executive director of the Chapter and also on the New York City and New York State human and civil rights advisory committees.
Ruby was an activist, dedicated to the struggle for self- realization for Americans of Japanese ancestry. Both Ruby and JACL had a common goal – to leave a legacy to ensure that the story of the Japanese minority would be told and understood by future generations. Ruby believed that the dramatic arts provided a unique way to make the public aware of the contributions of these Americans. Thus the Ruby Yoshino Schaar Biennium Playwright Award is meant to encourage talented playwrights to tell the story of Japanese in North America.
Ruby died on August 26, 1987. Funds for the award were contributed by Ruby’s family and many friends.

Previous award winners are:
1986 Akemi Kikumura for the “Gambling Den”
1988 Philip Kan Domoto for “Yankee Dawg You Die”
1990 Rick A. Shiomi for “Uncle Tadashi”
1994 Lane Nishikawa for “The Gate of Heaven”
2004 Stann Nakazono for “buddhaheadz.com”


HOW TO APPLY:

The applicant must be a playwright of Japanese descent with American or Canadian citizenship, sponsored by an active member of JACL or a Chapter of JACL. The applicant must have had at least one of his/her plays presented in a public forum, such as established theater, workshop or formal reading.

Manuscripts are restricted to one per applicant and are to be accompanied by a completed application form postmarked no later than April 1, 2006. Applications are available from the National JACL web site (www.jacl.org) or from New York JACL, 75 Grove Street, Bloomfield NJ 07003. Any play theatrically produced before January 1, 2004 will not be considered. Send only a clear copy of the typed manuscript in a professional format. Do not send originals. Send form and manuscript to:
New York JACL
75 Grove Street
Bloomfield NJ 07003

The manuscripts will be judged for dramatic excellence and insight into the Japanese American or Japanese Canadian experience. Historical or sociological data should have a factual basis. Manuscripts will be judged by a panel of professionals distinguished in theater arts.

The Ruby Yoshino Schaar Playwright Award is funded by the New York Chapter of JACL.

For further information, contact Lillian Kimura at 973/680-1441 or lckimura@att.net.

RUBY YOSHINO SCHAAR PLAYWRIGHT AWARD
APPLICATION FORM


Name__________________________________
Address_________________________________

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PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS, PRODUCTIONS AND AWARD

Title of Play____________________________

Presented at____________________________

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Title of Play__________________________

Presented at __________________________

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Awards_________________________________

Source for more details