The competition is open to postgraduate students, academics with an institutional affiliation, and independent scholars, but not undergraduates. Entrance is restricted to scholars who have had no more than one article previously published in a refereed journal. Entrants do not need to be members of the STR or to reside in the UK.
For an essay to be eligible for the competition, it must be aligned with the Aims of the Society for Theatre Research and be concerned with the history and techniques of the British theatre. The word “theatre” may be interpreted widely to cover, for example, activities that go on in theatre buildings, theatrical activities outside theatres, professional and amateur theatre, the business of theatre, stage design, the history of theatre buildings, acting techniques and theatre outside the British Isles that relates directly to the history and techniques of the British theatre. Essays should not be concerned mainly with the interpretation of dramatic texts.
The essays are judged double blind by a panel of distinguished judges. The prizes include a cash element, a one-year subscription to the STR, a selection of STR books and the guarantee that the essay will be considered for inclusion by Theatre Notebook under its normal guidelines.