News Release

Tarragon Theatre and RBC Foundation Partner for 4th Annual National Emerging Playwrights' Competition

TORONTO, February 7, 2012 — On the heels of last year's overwhelming success, Tarragon Theatre is pleased to partner with RBC Foundation in offering the 4th annual RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights' Competition. Tarragon has long been committed to fostering new work and developing new Canadian voices. In keeping with this commitment, the competition offers emerging playwrights financial support to further develop their plays, the opportunity to work with skilled artists in new play development, and the chance to showcase their work on a national level.

"Tarragon welcomes RBC's continued partnership," says Richard Rose, Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre. "With this important prize, we're thrilled to be able to provide the guidance, mentorship and recognition vital to emerging playwrights. The competition is a remarkable opportunity to celebrate and encourage the development of new Canadian work."

To qualify, playwrights must meet the definition of 'emerging' as defined by the competition guidelines. The Tarragon will consider full-length plays (min. 80 minutes) written in English by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The competition's winner will receive a cash prize of $3,000, the opportunity to showcase their play in Tarragon Theatre's 2013 Play Reading Week, and a year's worth of dramaturgical support from Tarragon Theatre's literary manager.

Shari Austin, RBC's Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of RBC Foundation, praised Tarragon Theatre for its imaginative programming and partnerships. "We are excited to partner with Tarragon Theatre to help identify and nurture the next generation of playwrights," she said. "RBC is committed to supporting emerging artists develop and progress in their careers and help bridge the gap from the academic to professional worlds through programs like the RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights' Competition."

For complete submission guidelines, please visit Tarragon's website at: tarragontheatre.com/playwrights/playwrightscompetition.php

DEADLINE: All application packages must arrive at Tarragon Theatre by

About Tarragon Theatre
Tarragon Theatre is known for its creation, development and production of new Canadian work. For over 40 years, more than 190 plays have premiered at Tarragon, including work by Morwyn Brebner, Kate Cayley, David French, Brendan Gall, Michael Healey, Ravi Jain, Wendy Lill, Joan MacLeod, Daniel MacIvor, Hannah Moscovitch, Morris Panych, James Reaney, Erin Shields, Jason Sherman and Judith Thompson, among many others. Tarragon presents new plays from all parts of the country, revives significant Canadian plays and produces international work, contemporary and classical. Tarragon has also been a pioneer in presenting Quebecois plays in translation notably works by Michel Tremblay, Carole Fréchette and, most recently, Wajdi Mouawad. The theatre offers extensive play development programs and an active outreach and education department. For more information visit www.tarragontheatre.com

About RBC and the Arts
RBC sponsors a wide-range of grassroots and local initiatives that contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities. Proud to support events and passions that resonate with our clients, RBC provides opportunities for up-and-coming artists through programs such as the RBC Emerging Artists Project, the RBC Canadian Painting Competition; the RBC Emerging Visions Program; and the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, part of our commitment to the world's top public film festival - the Toronto International Film Festival.

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Media contact:
Dianne Weinrib / Sarah Mackie 416-703-5479 - dw@dwcommunications.net
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