Marilyn Swartz Seven ’69 Playwriting Competition, Reading, and Reception
The Vassar Drama Department hosts a staged reading and reception honoring the 2026 recipients of the Marilyn Swartz Seven ’69 Annual Playwriting Competition: Leila Stark ’26, for her play “Oranges Peel Oranges” and Honorable Mention presented to Cole Smith ’26 for his play “Blockheads”.
Oranges Peel Oranges Synopsis: Across time and space, a family searches for memory, togetherness, and personhood. Inspired by the Irish tradition of the memory play and the American tradition of the family play, oranges peel oranges asks: what is it to lose someone who’s standing directly in front of you?
The event is open to the public, and reservations are required (boxoffice@vassar.edu).
About the Marilyn Swartz Seven ’69 Annual Playwriting Competition
The award is presented to a junior or senior in any discipline who submits the best full-length play. Established in 1999, this year marks the 26th anniversary of the competition. Past recipients have come from a range of majors, including English, Math, Science, and Drama. The winning playwright receives a $1,000 award, a certificate, a staged reading, and a catered reception hosted by the Drama Department.
