More Opportunities for Artists

We are delighted to announce the winner of the 2023 Toronto Fringe 24-Hour Playwriting Contest: Waiting for Her by Brynn Cutcliffe. Congratulations to Brynn, who will receive a bursary and the opportunity to consult with a director or dramaturg, thanks to the generosity of The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts.

In second place is A Monster by Ronit Rubinstein, and third place is What Ever Happened to Geraldine by Araceli Ferrara. The Selection Committee also wished to give honourable mention to the submissions below. We received over 100 submissions to this year’s contest, and the selection committee was deeply impressed and grateful for the artistry and passion demonstrated by all who participated. 

We hope everyone had a good time while writing fast! Big thanks to our Selection Committee, Barbara Fingerote (every theatre ever), Nathaniel Hanula-James (Nightswimming), Morgan Norwich (SummerWorks), Victor Pokinko (Bat Hats Theatre/Bad News Days), Ganesh Thavarajah (writer, actor, producer), and Carly Chamberlain (Toronto Fringe), for their time and care with all the submissions. 

Honorable Mention

The Big Game - R/B Mertz

Blubes - Hannah Joubert

Cost of Living - Lisa Aikman

New Math - Brendon Allen

Second Arrow - Polly Phokeev

Sweepers - Tiyawnda McGregor
 

Welcome back to the 24-Hour Playwriting Contest – with some updates! This year the contest returns, in January and online. On the morning of the contest, participants will receive instructions including four elements to include in their script. 

The writing period starts at 9:00am on Saturday, January 28th and finishes at 5:00pm on Sunday, January 29th, 2023. In order to encourage rest and breaks, we are giving 8 extra hours for the contest this year.

The prize for the selected winner will be a $1000 bursary, and the opportunity to meet with a dramturg or director to consult with about their work, thanks to the generous support of the Tony and Pat Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts. 

Registration for the contest costs $10. Registration closes at 12:00pm noon on Thursday January 26th, 2023. REGISTER HERE.

Terms & Conditions

• Open to all playwrights/writers who are permanent residents of Canada.
• More than one entry per playwright is not permitted.
• The submitted script must have been written fully in the (extended) 24-hour contest period. 
• There is no minimum or maximum duration for your script.
• Submissions are anonymized for the Selection Committee. 

The Toronto Fringe is committed to equality, diversity, and prioritizing accessibility. We warmly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, 2SLGBTQ+ identified persons as well as Deaf, Mad and disability-identified persons.

If you require any accommodations please do not hesitate to contact Lucy McPhee at intern@fringetoronto.com.
 

The 2022 Toronto Fringe RGTC Recipients are:

Patricia Allison, Bonnie Duff, Vivian Chong, Margot Greve, Mandeq Hassan, Shira Leuchter, and The Uncommon Folk Collective.

Thank you to everyone who submitted to the RGTC program, we are honoured to take part in this work and loved learning about your work.

2022 RGTC Applications are now closed. 

Supported by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), the Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators (RGTC) Program enables arts organizations to directly invest in the creative process of artists throughout the province. We are honoured to be participating in this program again for 2022.

In our selection process our mandate is to support projects in development that focus on unique, innovative, and unexpected methods of storytelling that align with the Fringe Festival values. Artists/collectives using any range of creative processes (script writing or otherwise) in the development of new, previously unproduced works.

Toronto Fringe invites peers from our professional community to adjudicate some of our artistic programs, and form selection committees. If you are interested in being considered, or wish to nominate a member of the performing arts community who represents the diversity of lived experiences that are reflected on Fringe stages, you may do so with this form.

Toronto Fringe annually presents the New Play Contest, the Adams Prize for Musical Theatre Contest, 24-Hour Playwriting Contest, and the Next Stage Theatre Festival. New committees are formed for each program each year. Jurors are compensated. Submitting a nomination does not automatically guarantee the nominee will be offered a position on any selection committee.

Click here to nominate yourself or a peer.

The 2023 New Play Contest Winner is Maggie Chun's First Love and Last Wedding by Helen Ho. A very special thank you to The Aubrey and Marla Dan Charitable Foundation for supporting this contest and artists.

Sponsored by The Aubrey and Marla Dan Foundation, the New Play Contest is an annual juried contest for playwrights with a new, previously unproduced play. The winner receives a bursary ($2500), as well as a free performance slot in the upcoming Toronto Fringe Festival. This year's jury is Yousef Kadoura, Gloria Mok, and Elena Reyes.

The 2023 New Play Contest is now closed.

Access the New Play Contest Application Form here.

Access our 2023 Play Contests Guide here.

Please contact our Associate Producer Suzanne (suzanne (at) fringetoronto.com) if you have any questions or concerns. 

The 2023 Adams Prize for Musical Theatre winner is Dancer by Jim Betts & Marek Norman. Special thanks to The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund, and The Aubrey and Marla Dan Charitable Foundation for supporting this contest and artists.

Sponsored by The Pat and Tony Adams Freedom Fund for the Arts, The Adams Prize for Musical Theatre is an annual juried contest for composers/playwrights with a new, previously unproduced musical. The winner receives a bursary ($3500), as well as a free performance slot in the upcoming Toronto Fringe Festival. This year's jury is Kieran MacMillan, Justin Miller, and Victoria Wang.

The 2023 New Play Contest applications are now closed.

Access The Adams Prize for Musical Theatre Application form here.

Access our 2023 Play Contests Guide here.

Please contact our Associate Producer Suzanne (suzanne (at) fringetoronto.com) if you have any questions or concerns.