Cara Gubbins

The Kilroys' List is an initiative established in 2014 by a collective of Los Angeles-based female playwrights and producers. Its primary aim is to address the significant gender disparity and underrepresentation of female and trans* playwrights within the American theater industry. The list annually compiles highly recommended contemporary plays by these writers, which have been seen or read by industry professionals within the preceding year. This effort emerged from the frustration of artists whose work remained unproduced despite claims by artistic directors of selecting the best available plays.

Statistical research, such as 'The Count' released in 2015, has quantified this disparity, revealing that in the 2011-2013 seasons, women playwrights accounted for only 22% of surveyed professional productions, with women of color and foreign women of color representing even smaller percentages. The Kilroys' List operates on specific eligibility criteria: plays must be unproduced or have had only one professional production, written by a self-identified female or trans* playwright, and recognized by an industry professional within the past year.

The initiative has gained national attention and has shown tangible impact, with a significant portion of listed plays subsequently being produced. Beyond the list itself, The Kilroys have worked to broaden their nominating pool to include diverse identities and have partnered with platforms like the New Play Exchange to streamline play submission and discovery processes for theaters.

The Kilroys' List was founded to combat the 'systematic underrepresentation of female and trans playwrights' in American theater. This disparity is defined not only by gender but also by intersectional identities including race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, age, and ability. Statistical research, notably 'The Count' published in 2015, highlighted the extent of this imbalance. For instance, data from 2011-2013 indicated that women playwrights comprised only 22% of surveyed professional productions, with women of color making up a mere 3.8%. The Kilroys' initiative seeks to provide visibility and opportunities for playwrights whose voices might otherwise be marginalized within the industry's established structures.

Established in June 2014, The Kilroys' List is an annual compilation of recommended plays by female and trans* authors. To be considered, a play must be either unproduced or have had only one professional staging, and it must have been read or seen by an industry professional within the last twelve months. Plays cannot have appeared on previous Kilroys Lists. The group, named after the World War II graffiti tag 'Kilroy Was Here,' operates under the tagline 'We Make Trouble and Plays.' The founding members were a group of Los Angeles-based playwrights and producers who aimed to challenge the status quo of play production and selection.

The Kilroys' List has garnered national media coverage and has demonstrated a measurable impact on the careers of the playwrights it features. Following the 2014 list's release, The Kilroys committed to expanding their nominating committee to ensure greater representation across various identities. Reports indicated that a substantial number of plays from the initial list had been produced in subsequent years, and individual writers reported increased interest in their work. The initiative has evolved, with a new cohort of theatremakers taking over leadership in 2018, continuing the mission to promote gender parity and diverse voices in theater.

“We chose the best plays”

“Kilroy Was Here”

“We Make Trouble and Plays”

“We wanted to create a baseline and to document the change.”

“the Summit”