08/18/2026
Announcing the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays
The jury had an extremely difficult decision this year because of the quality of the submissions, and wishes to express their admiration to the playwrights for making this a tough but enjoyable process.
However, there could only be one winner, and after serious deliberation, "Ifrit" by Jean-Michel Cliche was chosen as the winner of the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays. In the words of the jury, “'Ifrit' will excite and confront the audience. The play comes alive on the page, and haunts you long after reading it.”
The jury wished to add that they felt that "The Sidecar Problem" by Mark Vidulin and "The Tail End of It" by Jessica Lowry were worthy of Honourable Mentions.
The jury consisted of:
• Lorne Cardinal, actor, director and producer in theatre, film and television, as well as a BFA acting graduate from the University of Alberta.
• Kathleen Weiss, director and playwright, as well as a professor in the Drama Department at the University of Alberta.
• Victoria Zimski, veteran theatre designer and sessional instructor in the Drama Department.
• T. Erin Gruber, assistant professor in the Drama Department and theatre designer.
• Ron Jenkins, veteran director and dramaturge and the outgoing 2025 Lee Playwright in Residence.
• Josh Languedoc, actor and playwright, and a graduate of the MFA in Theatre Practice from the University of Alberta.
The Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays selection committee and University of Alberta Department of Drama would also like to thank the National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts English Section for their $10,000 contribution toward the prize total.
uab.ca/lee2026
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