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.
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 May 1, 2010. Click on the following link to access a copy of the Ruby Yoshino Schaar Playwright Award application form or contact the New York Chapter-JACL, 75 Grove Street #2, Bloomfield NJ 07003. Any play theatrically produced before January 1, 2008 will not be considered. Send two clear copies of the typed manuscript in a professional format. Do not send originals. Send application form and manuscript to:
New York JACL
75 Grove Street, #2
Bloomfield NJ 07003
The manuscript will be judged for dramatic excellence and insight into the Japanese American or Canadian experience. Historical or sociological data should have a factual basis. It will be judged by a panel of professionals distinguished in theater arts. The winner will be announced at the JACL Biennial Convention in Salt Lake City in July 2008.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| 1986 | Akemi Kikumura for "Gambling Den" |
| 1988 | Philip Kan Domoto for "Yankee Dawg You Die" |
| 1990 | Rick A. Shiomi for "Uncle Tadashi" |
| 1992 | No Award |
| 1994 | Lane Nishikawa for "The Gate of Heaven" |
| 2004 | Stanley Nakazono for "buddhaheadz.com" |
| 2006 | Soji Kashiwagi for "Camp Dance: Music and Memories" |
| 2008 | Timothy Toyama for "Yuri and Malcolm X" |
ABOUT RUBY YOSHINO SCHAAR
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/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 served on the New York City and 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 assure 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. It is administered by the New York Chapter JACL.