Announcing the Susan M. Fleming Playwriting Awards by the Ottawa School of Theatre in honour of past teacher and writer
Ottawa School of Theatre presents the Susan M. Flemming Playwriting Awards – a playwriting contest for aspiring writers in the National Capital Region! Thanks to an anonymous $5,000 donation from a community member in honour of Susan M. Flemming, former OST teacher and writer, OST’s playwriting contest is expanding.
Winners in the 12-14 and 15-18 age categories will have the chance to see their plays performed on stage by OST students. Winners will also receive a $150 cash prize, along with a $200 gift certificate to OST classes and camps.
To celebrate this wonderful donation, we are thrilled to be adding an adult category to the playwriting contest. We are looking for submissions of one-act plays of 30-60 minutes in length, from any adult in the National Capital Region (excluding OST staff and board members). As a bilingual theatre school, we are pleased to receive submissions in English or French.
OST wants to see your best creations. Submissions may be written in English or French, as we celebrate both languages. By submitting an application, you give OST permission to publish your name and perform your play. Additional requirements, along with the application forms, are listed below.
For the youth categories
- Plays must be family friendly
- Have a minimum of 10 characters, to a maximum of 14
- Have 25 minute run time (18-28 pages)
- The application form for the 12-14 and 15-18 year old categories can be found here
Both 12-14 and 15-18 age groups will have a shot at winning the first place prize of:
- A $200 OST gift certificate for classes, camps, or teen intensives
- A 150$ cash prize
- Recognition on all of OST’s socials
- Your play brought to life in a performance!
And a second place prize of:
- A $200 Gift certificate for classes and camps
- An OST t-shirt
For the adult category
- Plays must have 1-act
- Have a run time of 30-60 minutes (approximately 28-70 pages) to be eligible.
- Must be willing to have Ottawa School of Theatre produce your show in the following calendar year, as a workshop or a full production
- The application form for the adult category can be found here
The winning adult entry will win a cash prize of $300.
The deadline to submit is Friday, May 1, 2026. The winners of the Susan M. Flemming Playwriting Award will be announced May 16.
For more information contact playwriting@ost-eto.ca.