The Ottawa Little Theatre is now accepting submissions to the
84th National One-Act Playwriting Competition!

Read about the winners of the 83rd Competition –> Click Here <–

For more complete details consult the Information Poster –> Click Here <–
For any other inquiries, please contact playwriting@ottawalittletheatre.com.

Entry form –> Click Here <–

Parent or Guardian Acknowledgement Form –> Click Here <–

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

PRIZES

First Prize                            $1,000                   Ottawa Little Theatre Award

Second Prize                      $   750                    Dorothy White Award

Third Prize                          $   500                   Gladys Cameron Watt Award

Sybil Cooke Award for a Play for Children or Young People $500

OVERVIEW

  • original one-act plays in English, encouraging literacy and dramatic talent in Canada
  • plays with a maximum playing time of 45 minutes, and a minimum playing time of 25 minutes
  • plays that are previously unproduced OR have been produced no earlier than in the current year
  • playwright must reside in Canada and may be a citizen or landed immigrant
  • special award for the Best Play for Children or Young People
  • entry fee $25

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

Winners of the 84th competition will be announced in May 2025

All prize-winning entrants must agree to allow the Ottawa Little Theatre to produce their play at the 2025 Eastern Ontario Drama League One-Act Play Festival with no royalty fee.

We are working to restore Playwrights’ Week for 2025.

HISTORY OF THE COMPETITION

The Ottawa Little Theatre One-Act Playwriting Competition is the oldest in Canada. It was first held in 1937 and has been won by a who’s who of Canadian literary luminaries. Past winners include prominent playwrights Robertson Davies, John Murrell, Erika Ritter, Catherine Banks and Ken Mitchell.