Audiences are invited to enjoy the winning play and short story from the U of L Plays and Prose Competition on Thursday, Mar. 18 at 8 p.m. in the David Spinks Theatre. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The first prize winner in the play category was James Wade for Muse Control. The short story that took first place was Takeoff by Marian Godfrey. Both prize-winning works will enjoy their first public reading. Runners up in the prose category were Henry Heavy Shield for The Art of Fasting, which placed second, and Dave Bryant for Out of Sight on Barstool Row, which placed third.

Generously supported by U of L alumnus Terry Whitehead, the competition aims to encourage excellence and development in student writing. As first prize winners, Wade and Godfrey each receive a $1,500 award. Second and third prize winners receive awards of $750 and $250 respectively.

The juries in both categories had numerous positive comments about the winning entries. Godfrey's short story Takeoff is a compelling story that challenges both social and narrative conventions.

Jurors reviewing the play entries indicated that James Wade's entry Muse Control had the potential for future productions. They said Muse Control did not overextend itself and pegged it a truly enjoyable play. There is a clear idea that is succinct and carried through, leading audiences on a very funny journey.