April 6, 2023, Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Little Theatre’s 82nd Annual National One-Act Playwriting Competition received 37 entries from across the country. The winners join a long list of Canadian literary luminaries including Robertson Davies, John Murrell, Erika Ritter, Catherine Banks and Ken Mitchell.

First prize, Ottawa Little Theatre Award:

Sinkhole by Peter Zednik (North Vancouver, BC)

Adjudicator’s comments for Sinkhole:

  • “Who knows what really goes on behind closed doors? Two elderly neighbours reconnect after years of silence in this well-written and intriguing exploration of immeasurable pain and closely held secrets.”
  • “Harmless gossip turns to devastatingly cruel accusations as two friends release the vitriol of pent-up revenge. Shocking dramatic honesty.”

Second prize, Dorothy White Award:

Accident on Russell Road by Judith Sandhurst (Deux Montagnes, QC)

Adjudicator’s comments for Accident on Russell Road:

  • “A daughter confronts her influential father about his plans to publish his memoirs, including reminiscences about his first family. An insightful examination of the role of perception and difficult family dynamics.”
  • “A successful Senator is challenged by his daughter for his conduct 40 years ago, as she now attempts to stop him publishing his memoirs. A deeply emotional examination of selfishness and recovery following the pain of divorce.”

Third prize, The Gladys Cameron Watt Award (sponsored by the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women):

The End of the Day by Ron Davies (Ottawa, ON)

Adjudicator’s comments for The End of the Day:

  • “A terrific absurdist play, perfect for a government town, full of humour and anxiety, all signifying our worst fears, or our greatest accomplishments.”
  • “The suspense grows as the clock ticks down to the final moments of the day, Great apprehension is growing in the audience, but what a surprise when the curtain falls.”

Sybil Cooke Award to an outstanding play “for Children or Young People”:

Crossing the Line by Charlotte Nixon (Calgary, AB)

Adjudicator’s comments for Crossing the Line:

  • “An action-packed retelling of the infamous tortoise and hare fiasco, but in this case, it plays up friendship and plays down competition. Two wonderful parts for comic actors who enjoy slapstick comedy. Lots of audience participation.”
  • “Young children particularly will love this famous story that has a moral but it’s not the one you’re expecting.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Chris Ralph, VP Artistic
613-808-7339
chris@actingcompany.ca

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About the Competition

The competition is open to original one-act plays in English, encouraging literary and dramatic talent in Canada. Plays written for any age group, including children and young people, are welcome. The play must be previously unproduced or have been produced no earlier than in the entry year. The playwrights are unknown to the adjudicators, with all the plays submitted anonymously.

Plays are generally accepted into the competition from May until December. After the submission deadline, all received plays are distributed to adjudicators, all of whom have a long history with the OLT. Each entry is read by two adjudicators who identify three finalists among the entries they read. The finalists are then read and evaluated by the other adjudicators. The winners are selected during a group discussion following the completion of all the reading.