In a celebration of Southern playwriting, John Barrow has been named the winner of this year’s prestigious Southern Playwrights Competition for his compelling new play, “Lillian Paula Carson.” The play, set in the American South of 1953, delves into the imagined encounter between three remarkable women and their powerful convictions.
Barrow’s winning play, “Lillian Paula Carson,” is inspired by the lives of Lillian Smith, a writer and social activist renowned for her stance against racial segregation; Paula Snelling, her partner; and Carson McCullers, the celebrated author of “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” The narrative unfolds in a rustic mountain home in northern Georgia, where these iconic figures converge.
The play imagines a pivotal visit by Carson McCullers to Smith and Snelling’s home near Clayton, Georgia. Lillian Smith, already famous for her groundbreaking novel “Strange Fruit,” was a prominent voice against segregation in the South. “Lillian Paula Carson” uses both humor and profound insight to explore the dynamics of this meeting, examining how these brilliant women navigated complex issues of justice, fame, commitment, love, and mortality during a transformative period in American history.
The Southern Playwrights Competition, established in 1989 by the Department of English at Jacksonville State University (JSU), is dedicated to discovering and supporting exceptional playwriting talent from the Southern United States. John Barrow, originally from Cordele, Georgia, and currently based in New York City, brings a wealth of experience to his work. His plays have been showcased in various cities, including New York, Nashville, Key West, and Atlanta. His achievements also include playwriting grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Wisconsin Arts Board, and residencies at esteemed institutions like Yaddo and the Albee Foundation’s William Flanagan Center.
Winning plays of the Southern Playwrights Competition are given serious consideration for production by the JSU drama department, offering playwrights a vital platform to bring their visions to life. “Lillian Paula Carson” is set to make its highly anticipated world premiere on stage at Jacksonville State University on March 29 and 30. The performances will be held at the Ernest Stone Performing Arts Center. For those interested in attending this premiere, further details and ticket information can be found at www.jsu.edu/drama.
