Announcing the 2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays
2026 Lee Playwriting Prize for New Canadian Plays has been awarded to Jean-Michel Cliche for Ifrit.
Department of Drama - 17 August 2026
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 English Section for their $10,000 contribution toward the $20,000 prize total.
About the Playwright
Jean-Michel Cliche (he/him) is a theatre artist of Lebanese and French settler descent living on the banks of the Wolastoq (Fredericton, NB). He is the Co-Artistic Director of Solo Chicken Productions, a theatre company dedicated to creating inclusive, delightful and challenging theatre experiences. He is the co-creator & writer of TILT, the award-winning hybrid physical theatre/improv show. As an actor, he has had the privilege of performing in major cities across the country, as well as communities of all sizes throughout the Maritimes. As an educator, Jean-Michel has taught drama with the University of New Brunswick and Theatre New Brunswick. Jean-Michel has also trained with Fight Directors Canada and is now New Brunswick’s most active Fight Director and Violence Designer. He loves all things games, particular pen & paper RPGs.
Photo by Kelly Baker
The Lee Playwright in Residence and the Lee Playwriting Prize were created to nurture and celebrate Canadian playwriting and created from a generous gift from the Clifford E. Lee foundation.