Rising Phoenix Repertory has announced Ren Dara Santiago as its first recipient of The Cornelia Street American Playwriting Award. The honor is presented to an emerging playwright of exceptional work ethic, character, and talent. The award will be presented to Santiago in February 2019 at a reception in New York City.  The award takes its name from Cornelia Street in the West Village, which has been home to the work of some of the nation’s greatest playwrights, including Eugene O’Neill, Maria Irene Fornes, Lanford Wilson and John Guare, and was also the location of Caffe Cino, one of the birthplaces of the Off-Off Broadway theatre movement. The award carries a cash prize of $3,500, and includes publication of one of the playwright’s works in Rising Phoenix Rep’s theatre arts magazine, Caffe Cino. Press contact: The Press Room NYC (212/763-7724)...