Yesterday, June 16, 2025, Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC) held a special ceremony at the Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax, NS, to present the 2025 Jenny Munday Atlantic Canadian Play Award. This award honours Jenny Munday, PARC’s inaugural Artistic Director who dedicated 20 years of service to the organization, celebrating her legacy while providing vital support and recognition to playwrights from Atlantic Canada.
Dad by Ali Joy Richardson (Nova Scotia) was selected as the 2025 winning play. This play follows a revered theatre school teacher’s fall from grace after his behaviour with a female student comes to light. Dad asks – what do we do when someone we love does something we hate? The jury, composed of Ryan Griffith, Stevey Hunter, and Jenna Rodgers, praised the play’s “strong and compelling writing,” as well as the nuanced exploration of the tensions that exist between the titular father and his daughter.
Coal Bowl Queen by Richie Wilcox (Nova Scotia) and New Mom by Emily Bridger (Newfoundland & Labrador) were named first and second runners-up respectively, for their outstanding dramatic merit.
The 2025 Award winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a PARC membership (Dad by Ali Joy Richardson), and both runner-ups a $500 cash prize each (Coal Bowl Queen by Richie Wilcox and New Mom by Emily Bridger).
Additional shortlisted plays included: The Ghost of Violet Shaw by Katerina Bakolias (NS), F*cking Trans Women by Zoë Comeau (NS), and The Breakthrough by Patrick Jeffrey (PEI). The Jury also chose to recognize Due to Unforeseen Circumstances by Jared Mallard (NB) as an honourable mention.
PARC extends its deepest gratitude to the PARC Legacy Committee and its generous donors for making this award possible, as well as this year’s jury of Ryan Griffith, Stevey Hunter, and Jenna Rodgers. PARC is proud to celebrate the talent and dedication of these writers and looks forward to their continued success. Special thanks are also offered to The Bus Stop Theatre Co-Op for hosting the ceremony, and to Daniel MacIvor and Watermark Theatre for their annual support of this award.