Playwright Sandy Rustin Launches Nonprofit Supporting Women Comedy Writers

Playwright Sandy Rustin has established Jokes on Her, a new nonprofit organization designed to support women writing comedy for the stage through an annual cash prize and professional backing.

According to the official launch announcement, the initiative aims to address historic gender disparities in comedic playwriting by providing targeted financial and developmental resources.

At the center of the nonprofit’s offerings is an annual $5,000 cash prize awarded to an emerging or established woman writer working in comedic theatrical formats.

In addition to the monetary award, the program seeks to connect creators with theatrical producers and regional stages to help move their scripts from the page to a live audience.

Industry advocates note that comedic works written by women have historically faced underrepresentation in major regional theater seasons compared to dramatic works and male-authored comedies.

By establishing Jokes on Her, Rustin intends to build a sustainable pipeline for theatrical comedy talent, ensuring women have dedicated institutional backing within the dramatic arts.

Submissions for the inaugural prize cycle and further details regarding the nonprofit’s mentorship and development programs will be announced through official theatrical channels.