Gerald Osborn Playwriting Award

Eligible applicant must:  

• be 18 years of age or older;  
• be a resident of Edmonton (or live within 40km) for at least one year prior to the application deadline; 
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have a valid work permit;  
• be a Fringe playwright; and 
  • In this context, Fringe playwright refers to any Artist who has written a play (or, is committed to writing a play) that will be produced at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.  
  • In this context, a Fringe play refers to a play with a written script. 
• submit an application. 

The intent of this award is to encourage and support a Fringe playwright who is creating (or, has written) a play (or, plays) that will be produced at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. 

• Fringe playwrights may apply to this award as they submit their Festival Lottery Application (via Eventotron) or by completing the application from below.  
• The Fringe playwright does not need to be directly connected to a production of their play to be eligible to apply for this award (ex: does not need to be a producer or a member of the company who is producing their play). 
• Fringe producers or Artists participating in the upcoming Festival are welcome to nominate a Fringe playwright whose show they are producing as they submit their Festival Lottery Application. 
• New and emerging Fringe playwrights are encouraged to apply (yes, you can apply if you are writing your first play!). 
• Writing collectives who are working together to create a written script are eligible to apply.  
• Fringe Theatre is committed to supporting and fostering the work of diverse Artists whose voices have been historically underrepresented both onstage and behind the scenes in the arts community. We encourage applications from those who are part of the IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and/or other equity-seeking groups. To learn more about Fringe Theatre’s efforts to create Safer Spaces, please visit our Safer Spaces program. 
• Improvised shows are not ideal recipients for this award since they do not have a written script.  
• Production and theatre companies are ineligible to apply for this award, but they are welcome to nominate the playwright they are working with.

The Gerald Osborn Award is given annually to one local Fringe playwright. The recipient will receive a $500 cash award. This cash award is intended to support the playwright’s writing process, artistic activities, and/or career development and may be used at their discretion. 

• All eligible award applications will be entered into a lottery draw, and the recipient of the Gerald Osborn Playwriting Award will be selected at random.  
• Each playwright who has applied (or been nominated) will receive a maximum of one entry into the lottery draw. In other words, the number of nominations or applications received will not increase the number of entries.  
• Please note, applications and nominations will be reviewed by an internal Fringe committee to ensure adherence to the eligibility listed above. Any applications or nominations that do not meet the award eligibility will be removed. 

The successful applicant must agree to:

• submit a short report describing how the award funds benefitted you as a Fringe playwright; 
• provide Fringe Theatre unlimited rights to publicize, advertise, and promote the recipient and their work in relation to the Gerald Osborn Playwriting Award; 
• adhere to Fringe Theatre’s policies, including our Code of Conduct; and 
• adhere to Fringe Theatre Award Agreement. 

Failure to comply or fulfill these agreements could result in the forfeiture of the award.

Applications and nominations for this award are currently closed. The deadline to apply (or nominate) for the Gerald Osborn Playwriting Award was Monday, May 27, 2024 (11:59pm MDT – Mountain Daylight Time). 

If you need help submitting or have any questions related to your application, please contact victoria.dejong@fringetheatre.ca or call 780-448-9000 ext. 8934

The successful Fringe playwright will be notified prior to the 2024 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.