"Falling," Deanna Jent's drama about a family struggling with autism, has been nominated for the 2012 ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award.

In September, "Falling" had its world premiere at Mustard Seed Theatre, where Jent is artistic director. The show received stellar reviews and proved so popular with audiences that its run was extended twice. Producer Terry Schnuck, who saw it during that initial run, is interested in presenting it off-Broadway.

The mother of a teenager with autism and two older children, Jent drew on her own life for "Falling." The play reveals an "ordinary day" in which a couple strives to hold on in the vortex of what Jent has termed "extreme parenting."

The prestigious New Play Award is presented by the American Theatre Critics Association. The award honors new scripts produced outside New York City in the previous year. The winner receives an award of $15,000, with awards of $5,000 to two runners-up.  Past winners include such noted playwrights as August Wilson, Moises Kaufman, Adam Rapp, Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage and Horton Foote.

Mustard Seed Theatre is in residence at Fontbonne University. Its next production, "Godspell," opens Nov. 18, under Jent's direction.