MacIvor, Mouawad make Siminovitch long list

MacIvor, Mouawad make Siminovitch long list
Last Updated Thu, 26 May 2005 CBC Arts http://www.cbc.ca/
TORONTO - Toronto's Daniel MacIvor and Montreal's Wajdi Mouawad are among the playwrights on the long list for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre.
With a value of $100,000, the prize is the largest theatre award in the country. It goes to a playwright who has made a significant contribution to theatre in Canada, with this year's edition of the prize recognizing direction.
MacIvor, an actor and director, is nominated for his play Marion Bridge , about three Cape Breton sisters keeping watch over their dying mother.
In addition to his stage work, MacIvor is known for making movies like Wilby Wonderful and appearing on television's Twitch City .
Mouawad was nominated for Incedies ( Scorched ), which tells the story of a set of Canadian twins who were born in Lebanon.
Mouawad, who is himself of Lebanese heritage, was recently in the news when he refused to accept a Molière theatre prize naming him the greatest living francophone writer.
In all, 53 people are on the long list.
"The overwhelming response to this year's call for nominations reflects the strength at the heart of Canada's theatre industry," said Leonard McHardy, who chairs the five-person jury that will select the winner.
"It also reveals a deeper awareness and appreciation of the intent of the Siminovitch Prize – to encourage Canadian artists to go further in the pursuit of their crafts."
A short list will be announced at the end of September, with the winner being named Oct. 25.
The prize was first given out in 2002. Named for scientist Lou Siminovitch and his wife, playwright Elinore Siminovitch, it recognizes direction, writing and design in three-year cycles. This year's prize is for direction.
Organizers say they are encouraged by the growth in regional representation since the prize was first given out, particularly by how the number of submissions from Western Canada has grown.
Victoria, B.C.'s Joan MacLeod was also nominated this year, as was Edmonton's Stewart Lemoine. Michael Hollingsworth is part of the Toronto contingent, and Westmount's Brian Drader is among the other Quebec nominees.
The winner is required to dedicate $25,000 of the award money to a theatre organization or protégé of his or her choice.
Director and designer Jillian Keiley, director of Newfoundland's Artistic Fraud, was the recipient of last year's Siminovitch Prize, which is sponsored by BMO Financial.
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