TRANSCENDENT CRAFT AWARD
Sponsored by Trans Stories / Joy Who Lived
Description
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Please submit your show at this form. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://forms.gle/L7ri4Fy35YzAHowx7
Please submit your show early, as we will only be able to attend the first 20 shows submitted! We will turn off the form when we have reached capacity—so if you can still see it, you can still submit.
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The Joy Who Lived is a festival dedicated to uplifting artists and their stories, especially those in the trans and gender non-conforming community. The Transcendent Craft Award goes to a theater artist (writer, director, or performer) who demonstrates excellence in representing multi-dimensional, gender-diverse experiences.
We are looking for authentic stories (historical, personal, fantastical, abstract—anything that captures something true). We are especially excited about work that is de-colonial, trans-centric, and challenging dominant patriarchal norms and narratives.
Read more about us at https://joywholived.com/
Qualifications
This award goes to a theater artist (writer, director, or performer) — not just “a show.” Shows that have trans performers or crew (even shows that are not produced by trans umbrella producers) are encouraged to submit one or multiple members to this award. You only need to fill this out once per show.
Methodology
Our committee will view shows and rate them on our rubric of: authenticity of storytelling, quality of performance, ambition, professionalism, creativity.
Reward
In addition to a stylish statue, winner will get the option to produce a show of their choice at the Joy Who Lived festival in April 2026. They will be provided with venue, tech time, and production support.
Winner will also have access to up to 3 hours of coaching from award-winning producer/fundraiser Laser Webber and award-winning director/dramaturg Maddox Pennington to help bring the artist’s story to a wider audience.
