Grand Theatre New Play Igniter Program

National Call for Submissions

Deadline to submit: FEB 22, 2026

The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premiere producing theatre—and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada—the company has deep ties to its community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. Through its successful New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of Canadian theatre writers and creators.

The Grand Theatre’s New Play Development Igniter Program invites established Canadian playwrights to spark bold new work built for scale, ambition, and a theatre full of people leaning forward in their seats. Rooted in the Grand’s legacy of world-class theatre, this paid, hands-on development program brings artists into focused dramaturgical sessions with the Grand’s artistic leadership—sharing pages, testing ideas, and actively shaping new plays with the potential to ignite the Spriet Stage. Igniter is a space to dream expansively, write bravely, and push new work toward its fullest theatrical potential.

As part of The Grand Theatre’s New Play Development Igniter Program, the artistic team is seeking submissions from established professional playwrights. We are particularly interested in work that aligns with the ambition and storytelling approach of our mainstage productions. 


Project Eligibility Requirements 

The proposed work must meet all of the following criteria:

  • The proposed work should feature no more than eight performers.

  • The proposed work should reflect the scale, ambition, and audience reach suitable for an 840-seat mainstage. 

 

Playwright Eligibility Requirements

Submissions are only being accepted from established playwrights who meet all the following criteria:

  • The playwright identifies as a professional: someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by other theatre artists, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their art.

  • The playwright has written, co-written, adapted, or translated at least two plays, musical books, or libretti that were produced by a professional theatre company, for which the playwright and other artists engaged for the project were paid.

  • The playwright must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. 

 

Participation Requirements

Selected playwrights must be available to meet virtually with Artistic Director Rachel Peake, Apprentice Artistic Director Nicole Wilson, and the other selected playwrights for three sessions, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., on the following dates:

  • May 5, 2026

  • May 26, 2026

  • June 16, 2026

During these sessions, ideas around and pages of the new work will be considered and discussed from a dramaturgical perspective. Between sessions, playwrights are expected to continue developing their work. Selected playwrights will receive a fee of $1,500 for participation in this development cycle. Please note that this development cycle does not guarantee production. 

 

About Rachel Peake 

Rachel Peake is a director and dramaturge of theatre and opera and is Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre. Her work in new play, musical, and opera development has spanned the country from the Arts Club Theatre Company and Vancouver Opera in Vancouver, BC, through to Camber Arts in Gros Morne, Newfoundland.

 

Submission Details

Submission deadline: February 22nd, 2026

Playwrights should submit the following materials:

  • A one-page artist statement outlining the proposed project and briefly describing why this work feels like a good fit for The Grand’s Spriet Stage in London.

  • A résumé

  • A script sample (up to 7 pages) from a draft of the proposed work or a previously written work.

Materials should be sent as PDF attachments, with your name and project title in the file name, to Apprentice Artistic Director Nicole Wilson at: 
NWilson [at] grandtheatre.com (NWilson[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)

Note: The proposed project may be in early or mid-development. Script samples may come from the proposed project or a previously written work. Playwrights should expect to share an outline and eventually new pages ahead of each session and continue active development between meetings.