Grand Theatre New Play Development Program
National Call for Submissions
Deadline to submit: May 12, 2025
The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. Through our successful New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators.
As part of The Grand Theatre’s New Play Development initiative, our artistic team is seeking submissions from established professional playwrights for a new work commission. The commissioned playwright’s paid work period will begin in July 2025, with a workshop period in Fall 2026. The commission fee for the project is $12,000.
We are only seeking submissions from established playwrights who meet all the following criteria:
- The playwright defines themselves as a professional: someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by other theatre artists, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their art.
- The playwright has written, co-written, adapted, or translated at least two plays, musical books, or libretti that were produced by a professional theatre company, for which the playwright and other artists engaged for the project were paid.
- The playwright must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The proposed work must meet all the following criteria:
- The proposed work must be an adaptation or response to work(s)/figure(s) of classical literature or drama. Source material can originate from any country/language and must be in the public domain.
- The proposed work must be written in English, or with a majority of spoken dialogue in English.
- The script should feature no require than ten performers.
Submission details:
- The deadline to submit is May 12, 2025
- Playwrights should submit a one-page letter outlining their proposed project, a resume, and either a script sample (up to 20 pages) of a draft of the proposed work or a previously written work to Apprentice Artistic Director Deivan Steele at dsteele [at] grandtheatre.com (dsteele[at]grandtheatre[dot]com).
If you have any questions about this application, or if you require support to make this application more accessible to you, contact Deivan Steele at: dsteele [at] grandtheatre.com (dsteele[at]grandtheatre[dot]com).
