Buzz McLaughlin, a New Jersey resident, was named first prize winner of the 1996 National Play Award Playwriting Competition, sponsored by the National Repertory Theatre Foundation.
McLaughlin won for his play, "Sister Calling My Name," the story of a man who is reunited after a long separation with his developmentally disabled sister. He received a cash prize of $5,000.
McLaughlin is founding director and former artistic director of Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, and a professor of theatre arts at Drew University, where he teaches playwriting.
The five runners-up, each of whom will receive $500, were: Robert W. Burda, for "Don Juan Dying"; Kim Dunbar, for "Porchmonkey"; Kris Hall, for "Fabians in Love"; Stan Nevin, for "A Child is Born"; Scott Sandoe, for "Points of Deviation."
Guidelines are now available for the next competition, which will be accepting submissions between Jan. 1 and March 31, 1998. To receive a copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Eighth Annual National Play Award, P.O. Box 286, Hollywood, Cali