Jonathan Goldberg Wins for “The Jew and the Demon”
The Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has announced the winner of the 2007 Rita and Burton Goldberg Dramatic Writing Award. This year’s honor and a $10,000 cash prize goes to Jonathan Goldberg for his play The Jew and the Demon. Goldberg is no relation to Dramatic Writing Department namesakes, Rita and Burton Goldberg.
Jonathan Goldberg is a 2007 M.F.A. alumnus of the Dramatic Writing Department. His play will receive a full production March 26 and 27, 2008 at the Tisch School of the Arts. The Jew and the Demon tells the story of Zelig, a Polish Jew, who returns from a mysterious land of demons to find his village laid waste and abandoned. He joins forces with Azazel, a female demon formerly held captive by him, and together they set off to find his people in post-World War II Europe.
The Jew and the Demon was among five plays to make it to the finalist round. The others included Petie by Lori Fischer, Oregon Country by Ross Maxwell, Flat Sam by Antoinette Nwandu, and Octopus by Steve Yockey. Readings of Petie and Flat Sam, both runners up, will be presented in March. Individuals interested in attending the readings should call 212-998-1985 or visit www.tisch.nyu.edu after January 24, 2008, for the exact dates and times.
In addition to Rita and Burton Goldberg, the selection committee also comprised playwrights Lonnie Carter, Leslie Lee, Eduardo Machado, Susan Miller, and Marsha Norman; head of graduate studies in Dramatic Writing Janet Neipris, and executive director of creative affairs at the Dramatists Guild Gary Garrison.
Rita and Burton Goldberg, lifelong fans of the American theatre and of emerging playwrights, established the Goldberg Playwriting Award in 1998 to honor the best play or plays of the graduate and undergraduate students in the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing.