University of Alberta Department of Drama

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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TONIGHT! Take a well-deserved break from Fringing (all that theatre-seeing and -making is hard work!) and join us in the North Beer Tent from 5-7 today (Aug 17) for a visit!

The Department of Drama invites Alumni, Current and Incoming Students, Instructors, Staff and Friends to join us for our THIRD ANNUAL DRAMA FRINGE BEER TENT SOCIAL!

Monday, August 17, 2026 | 5-7 p.m.
North Beer Tent | Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival
(north of the Streetcar tracks and south of 85 ave.)

Come by to say hi, and be the first to find out the winner of the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays!

https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/on-stage/2026-fringe-beer-tent-social.html

Join us for StageLab 2026, a chance to explore works-in-progress and faculty research showcasing the creative activity of Drama department faculty.

StageLab 2026
August 20, 21 & 22, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Second Playing Space, Timms Centre for the Arts

Featuring:
• Staged Reading of "Impromptu of Vegreville" | Donia Mounsef
• FAERY DUST | Kathleen Weiss
• "Snow White"* by Elfriede Jelinek | Piet Defraeye

Free to attend.

Find the complete schedule and expanded show information at:
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/on-stage/stage-lab.html

*"Snow White" is possible with the additional support from the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies

📣 Announcing the Shortlist for the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays

🎪 Join us next Monday, August 17 from 5-7 p.m. in the North Beertent at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, where we will announce the winner at the 2026 Fringe Beertent Social
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/on-stage/2026-fringe-beer-tent-social.html

We're delighted to announce that the following plays have been shortlisted for the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize:

• "Azar o Azadi" by Ayda Niknami
• "Beauty" by Gary Blackwood
• "Bella Luz" by Alexandra Lainfiesta
• "Far From the Tree" by Marisa Scarbeau
• "Holes" by Jojo O'Neil
• "Ifrit" by Jean-Michel Cliche
• "Matters Arising" by Leonard Belsher
• "The Sidecar Problem" by Mark Vidulin
• "The Storm Chasers" by Charlie Ford
• "The Tail End of It" by Jessica Lowry
• "X'Imaipa" by Laura-Fani Grigorakis

We'll see you next Monday!

Find out more: uab.ca/lee2026

The Department of Drama invites Alumni, Current and Incoming Students, Instructors, Staff and Friends to join us for our THIRD ANNUAL DRAMA FRINGE BEER TENT SOCIAL!

Monday, August 17, 2026 | 5-7 p.m.
North Beer Tent | Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival
(north of the Streetcar tracks and south of 85 ave.)

Come by to say hi, and be the first to find out the winner of the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays!

https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/on-stage/2026-fringe-beer-tent-social.html

We've had to change the location for Sunday's party -- Join us in the Timms Second Playing Space!!

See you there!

**EDITED TO UPDATE THE LOCATION**
One more week!! We're only 7 days away from the party for JP . . . Join us!

1 p.m. • Sunday July 19
SECOND PLAYING SPACE, Timms Centre for the Arts

Let us know if you can come! RSVP using the form at the link:
https://forms.gle/KQ1vcrSLNTGuULZf8

**EDITED TO UPDATE THE LOCATION**
One more week!! We're only 7 days away from the party for JP . . . Join us!

1 p.m. • Sunday July 19
SECOND PLAYING SPACE, Timms Centre for the Arts

Let us know if you can come! RSVP using the form at the link:
https://forms.gle/KQ1vcrSLNTGuULZf8

Announcing the 2026-2027 Studio Theatre Season!

October 8-17, 2026
Hedda Gabler | by Henrik Ibsen (Version by Patrick Marber from a literal translation by Karin and Ann Bamborough.)

December 3-12, 2026
The Extractionist | by Michaela Jeffery

February 4-13, 2027
Twelfth Night | by William Shakespeare

April 1-10, 2027
Unity (1918) | by Kevin Kerr

Tickets are available now! Learn more at:
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/drama/on-stage/2026-2027_studio-season.html

Become a standardized patient at the University of Alberta | College of Health Sciences The University of Alberta Health Sciences Education and Research Commons is seeking applicants for our Standardized Patient Program.

Congratulations to BFA Acting alum Dayna Lea Hoffmann on being recognized with a 2026 Emerging Artist Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation!

Dayna Lea Hoffmann - Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards “Dayna Lea Hoffman is a performer, director, writer, designer and mentor. In addition, she is a remarkably accomplished creator/performer of original clown and satire. Dayna’s work is incisive, edgy and hilarious and her practice traces direct lineage to a proud Alberta tradition defined by nati...