The Shane & Cathryn Brennan Prize for Playwriting has been developed to discover and celebrate the best new scripts among Australian playwrights.
When the pandemic led to the closure of theatres and an absence of opportunities for theatre professionals, Shane and Cathryn Brennan, the generous benefactors of this prize found a way to give back to hardworking playwrights. Even though audiences are now able to enjoy live theatre again – we are honoured to continue offering this opportunity to outstanding playwrights and their very best unproduced scripts!
The Prize invites playwrights to submit unproduced plays across two categories:
- Stage
- Theatre for Young Audiences.
The Prize is open to Full and Associate members of the Australian Writers’ Guild. The most outstanding scripts across both categories will share in $60,000 in prize money, and their scripts will be made eligible for AWG’s prestigious Pathways for Playwrights.
Important Dates
Entries open: 23 June 2026
Entries close: 5pm, 27 August 2026
Shortlists announced: October 2026
The Shane & Cathryn Brennan Prize opens on 23 June and will close at 5pm (AEST) on Thursday 27 August 2026.
Before your prepare your script for submission please read the Information Kit in full.
Please direct all enquiries about the Awards to admin@awg.com.au.
| ENTER THE SHANE AND CATHRYN BRENNAN PRIZE |
| Stage Category |
| Theatre for Young Audiences Category |
Stage Category Winners
2024 – Aurochs by Katherine Marquet
2024 – The Future is History by Steve Rodgers
2022 – Wittenoom by Mary Anne Butler
Theatre for Young Audiences Category Winners
2024 – The Incomplete Works of Willow Baker by Brendan Hogan
2022 – Ali in Zombieland by John Armstrong
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