the 2026 windsor-essex playwriting contest
Post Productions is pleased to announce the 2026 Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest. Now in its ninth year, YOU can join the esteemed honour roll of award-winning playwrights whose work has been produced at The Shadowbox Theatre. This contest is an opportunity for playwrights and aspiring playwrights from Windsor and Essex County to receive feedback on their scripts from a panel of dedicated and experienced judges – and potentially see their work produced onstage at The Shadowbox Theatre as part of Post Productions’ 2027 season.
All playwrights who submit will receive detailed constructive feedback from a panel of experienced judges who have closely read and fervently discussed their work. Finalists will receive additional feedback in the second round of the contest.
The winning script will be produced as part of Post Productions’ 2027 season. Its playwright will receive 10% of gross ticket revenue from the production and will be invited to participate in the casting and rehearsal processes (if they so wish).
All playwrights who submit will receive detailed constructive feedback from a panel of experienced judges who have closely read and fervently discussed their work. Finalists will receive additional feedback in the second round of the contest.
The winning script will be produced as part of Post Productions’ 2027 season. Its playwright will receive 10% of gross ticket revenue from the production and will be invited to participate in the casting and rehearsal processes (if they so wish).
All entries must be submitted in PDF format by email to: [email protected] no later than 11:59 pm Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
See below for submission deadlines and requirements.
See below for submission deadlines and requirements.
THIS YEAR’S ENTRIES DUE: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 11:59 pm
Please read the eligibility and submission requirements below – and attend to them carefully so you can maximize your odds of winning! NOTE: any entry that does not meet all of the eligibility and submission requirements will not be read or assessed by the judges.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This contest is intended to provide an opportunity for Windsor-Essex writers to showcase their talent and professionalism through the Post Productions brand of theatre. Any submission that fails to meet the following eligibility requirements will be neither read nor adjudicated:
1. Submitting playwright must be at least 18 years old as of 31 March 2026 and be either a Windsor-Essex native or currently reside in Windsor-Essex;
2. Entries must meet the following requirements:
3. Entries should be 75-120 minutes long when produced (one page equals roughly one minute);
4. Cast of characters should be small (2-6) and number of settings kept to a minimum (1-4);
5. Entries must be plays – no musicals, monologues, variety shows, or other forms of theatre will be accepted. There's nothing wrong with these other forms of theatre. They are just not what the contest is intended to adjudicate;
6. To reiterate, entries must be playscripts -- that is, scripts intended to be produced on stage for a live audience. Screenplays and teleplays will not be accepted;
7. The script must be unproduced as of the date of its submission;
8. Entries written by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) will not be accepted. We're looking for playscripts written by actual human beings from Windsor-Essex. This doesn't mean you can't use AI and/or LLMs to help you with research, or to help you outline your play, or any of the cursory tasks that precede the actual writing of the script. However, if any of the judges detects sentences written by AI and/or LLMs in the script itself, the script will be disqualified. We encourage all submitting playwrights to dig into and use their own intelligence and creativity; and,
9. Entries must be submitted by email to [email protected] by the submission deadline.
DEADLINES AND PROCESS
Post Productions is committed to using this contest as a developmental experience that benefits all involved parties. Our goal is to help all submitting playwrights prepare for eventual success. To these ends, our process involves constructive feedback with an opportunity for finalists to revise and resubmit their scripts. Scripts submitted in previous years of the contest are welcome, as long as they have been revised using the constructive feedback provided.
1. Entries to the first round must be received by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 31 March 2026 via email to [email protected];
2. Once received, entries will be anonymized, read, discussed, and scored by our panel of judges, who will prepare feedback for each submitted script that has met the eligibility requirements, and collectively decide which entries will become finalists;
3. Decisions and feedback will be sent to all submitting playwrights 4-6 weeks after the submission deadline has passed;
4. Finalists will be invited to proceed to the second round of the contest, where they will have the opportunity to refine their scripts using the judges’ feedback, and resubmit their revised entries no later than 4 weeks after receiving notification they have been selected as finalists. The precise deadline for submission to the second round of the contest will be included in the feedback letters;
5. Winners will be chosen and notified 4-6 weeks after the deadline for second round submissions has passed.
A NOTE ON CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK:
Constructive feedback is feedback that is intended to not only identify what is good or bad, right or wrong, exemplary or insufficient about a script; it's intended to help the playwright understand the reasoning behind the judges' reactions to the script and offer suggestions regarding how to address problematic features of the script, build on exemplary features of the script, and otherwise contribute to the playwright's ongoing development. The judges endeavour to provide constructive feedback in as neutral a tone as possible. Nevertheless, you may find yourself at times feeling hurt by constructive criticism. You may fervently disagree with some points made in the constructive criticism. You may wish to argue with or voice your displeasure at constructive criticism. We understand this. We're also human beings and, as artists ourselves, we have had to develop thick skins when it comes to receiving criticism -- even when that criticism is constructive. We urge you to read the feedback you receive in the spirit in which it is offered, which is one of generosity and a sincere desire to help you develop. And as tempting as it may be to respond with arguments about how wrong you believe the feedback is, please be advised that the judges don't have time to read and respond to such arguments.
Please read the eligibility and submission requirements below – and attend to them carefully so you can maximize your odds of winning! NOTE: any entry that does not meet all of the eligibility and submission requirements will not be read or assessed by the judges.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This contest is intended to provide an opportunity for Windsor-Essex writers to showcase their talent and professionalism through the Post Productions brand of theatre. Any submission that fails to meet the following eligibility requirements will be neither read nor adjudicated:
1. Submitting playwright must be at least 18 years old as of 31 March 2026 and be either a Windsor-Essex native or currently reside in Windsor-Essex;
2. Entries must meet the following requirements:
- properly formatted (any widely accepted playscript format is fine) PDF manuscripts in a readable 12-point font (Courier, Times New Roman, Calibri, etc.);
- carefully proofread before submission;
- numbered pages; and,
- the first page of the submitted script must be a title page that includes:
- the script’s title;
- the playwright’s name;
- the playwright's contact information (including phone number, email address, and mailing address);
- the intended genre;
- the intended themes; and,
- a 50-150 word synopsis of the script
- the script’s title;
3. Entries should be 75-120 minutes long when produced (one page equals roughly one minute);
4. Cast of characters should be small (2-6) and number of settings kept to a minimum (1-4);
5. Entries must be plays – no musicals, monologues, variety shows, or other forms of theatre will be accepted. There's nothing wrong with these other forms of theatre. They are just not what the contest is intended to adjudicate;
6. To reiterate, entries must be playscripts -- that is, scripts intended to be produced on stage for a live audience. Screenplays and teleplays will not be accepted;
7. The script must be unproduced as of the date of its submission;
8. Entries written by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) will not be accepted. We're looking for playscripts written by actual human beings from Windsor-Essex. This doesn't mean you can't use AI and/or LLMs to help you with research, or to help you outline your play, or any of the cursory tasks that precede the actual writing of the script. However, if any of the judges detects sentences written by AI and/or LLMs in the script itself, the script will be disqualified. We encourage all submitting playwrights to dig into and use their own intelligence and creativity; and,
9. Entries must be submitted by email to [email protected] by the submission deadline.
DEADLINES AND PROCESS
Post Productions is committed to using this contest as a developmental experience that benefits all involved parties. Our goal is to help all submitting playwrights prepare for eventual success. To these ends, our process involves constructive feedback with an opportunity for finalists to revise and resubmit their scripts. Scripts submitted in previous years of the contest are welcome, as long as they have been revised using the constructive feedback provided.
1. Entries to the first round must be received by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 31 March 2026 via email to [email protected];
2. Once received, entries will be anonymized, read, discussed, and scored by our panel of judges, who will prepare feedback for each submitted script that has met the eligibility requirements, and collectively decide which entries will become finalists;
3. Decisions and feedback will be sent to all submitting playwrights 4-6 weeks after the submission deadline has passed;
4. Finalists will be invited to proceed to the second round of the contest, where they will have the opportunity to refine their scripts using the judges’ feedback, and resubmit their revised entries no later than 4 weeks after receiving notification they have been selected as finalists. The precise deadline for submission to the second round of the contest will be included in the feedback letters;
5. Winners will be chosen and notified 4-6 weeks after the deadline for second round submissions has passed.
A NOTE ON CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK:
Constructive feedback is feedback that is intended to not only identify what is good or bad, right or wrong, exemplary or insufficient about a script; it's intended to help the playwright understand the reasoning behind the judges' reactions to the script and offer suggestions regarding how to address problematic features of the script, build on exemplary features of the script, and otherwise contribute to the playwright's ongoing development. The judges endeavour to provide constructive feedback in as neutral a tone as possible. Nevertheless, you may find yourself at times feeling hurt by constructive criticism. You may fervently disagree with some points made in the constructive criticism. You may wish to argue with or voice your displeasure at constructive criticism. We understand this. We're also human beings and, as artists ourselves, we have had to develop thick skins when it comes to receiving criticism -- even when that criticism is constructive. We urge you to read the feedback you receive in the spirit in which it is offered, which is one of generosity and a sincere desire to help you develop. And as tempting as it may be to respond with arguments about how wrong you believe the feedback is, please be advised that the judges don't have time to read and respond to such arguments.
For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the contest, please contact Post Productions via email at [email protected]
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE WINNER OF THE 2025 WINDSOR-ESSEX PLAYWRITING CONTEST
SHANE NELSON!
The Pet by Shane Nelson will premiere at The Shadowbox Theatre in October 2026 (click HERE for details and dates).
To learn more about Shane Nelson and The Pet:
TO THE WINNER OF THE 2025 WINDSOR-ESSEX PLAYWRITING CONTEST
SHANE NELSON!
The Pet by Shane Nelson will premiere at The Shadowbox Theatre in October 2026 (click HERE for details and dates).
To learn more about Shane Nelson and The Pet:
- Check out this ARTICLE from Biz X Magazine: bizxmagazine.com/winner-2025-windsor-essex-playwriting-contest/
- Read this INTERVIEW by Marc Rocheleau for WindsoriteDOTca: windsorite.ca/2025/12/new-horror-makes-history-in-theatre-companys-annual-contest/
Playwright Shane Nelson -- winner of the 2025 Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest
Previous Winners
of the Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest
Check out previous winners of the Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest at the links below!
2018 (two winners): A HAUNTING IN E FLAT by Joey Ouellette and AUTOPSY by Alex Monk – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/autopsy--haunting.html
2019: PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS by Edele Winnie – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/pry-it-from-my-cold-dead-hands.html
2020: DEAD BEAR by John Gavey - http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/dead-bear.html
2021 (two winners): STUCK by Jonathan Tessier – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/stuck.html
and PIRATE ATTACK ON THE 1C BUS GOING DOWNTOWN by Joey Ouellette – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/pirate-attack.html
2022: MIRABELLA by Joey Ouellette - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/mirabella.html
2023: WHICH WAY, MILLENNIAL MAN? by Jonathan Tessier - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/which-way-millennial-man.html
2024: COPRACORN by Kieran Potter - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/copracorn.html
2025: THE PET by Shane Nelson (opening at The Shadowbox Theatre in October 2026)
2026: ...you?
2018 (two winners): A HAUNTING IN E FLAT by Joey Ouellette and AUTOPSY by Alex Monk – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/autopsy--haunting.html
2019: PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS by Edele Winnie – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/pry-it-from-my-cold-dead-hands.html
2020: DEAD BEAR by John Gavey - http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/dead-bear.html
2021 (two winners): STUCK by Jonathan Tessier – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/stuck.html
and PIRATE ATTACK ON THE 1C BUS GOING DOWNTOWN by Joey Ouellette – http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/pirate-attack.html
2022: MIRABELLA by Joey Ouellette - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/mirabella.html
2023: WHICH WAY, MILLENNIAL MAN? by Jonathan Tessier - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/which-way-millennial-man.html
2024: COPRACORN by Kieran Potter - https://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/copracorn.html
2025: THE PET by Shane Nelson (opening at The Shadowbox Theatre in October 2026)
2026: ...you?