For a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "August: Osage County" by Tracy Letts

Richard Oppel, Pulitzer Board co-chair (left), presents the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in Drama to Tracy Letts.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Yellow Face" by David Henry Hwang, and "Dying City" by Christopher Shinn.