From left to right: Léa Drolet (Interprétation, 2025), Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025), Fanny Pagé (CEO of NTS), ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement) and Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.
The Gascon-Thomas Awards
Created in 1990 by the NTS’s Board of Governors, the awards is named in honour of two of the School’s founders: Jean Gascon and Powys Thomas, who are equally among the School’s first great teachers to have made a lasting impression. In the spirit of the School’s co-lingual nature, the awards are bestowed each year to one Anglophone and one Francophone artist in two categories: Innovation and Lifetime Achievement. Those who receive this award have made their mark on today’s theatre or who have helped to change tomorrow’s theatre.
The two Gascon-Thomas Awards: Innovation and Lifetime Achievement
1. The Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to a Canadian theatre artist who, throughout their career, has helped the theatre community evolve artistically. The selected nominee is an established artist who has earned national and international recognition and has contributed to Canadian theatre through their vast and important body of work.
2. The Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation
The Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation is presented to a Canadian theatre artist who has brought about a wave of change within their field. The nominee is selected for their ability to generate new ideas and for their efforts to improve upon current practices and/or approaches to making theatre. Innovation also refers to the attitude and social commitment underlying the artistic process. An artist who has had an impact on their social environment and makes theatre more accessible also demonstrates innovation by contributing to the growth and democratization of theatre.
ahdri zhina mandiela and Brigitte Poupart: Recipients of the 2025 Gascon-Thomas Awards
Montreal, March 18, 2025 – The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is proud to announce the recipients of the 32nd edition of the Gascon-Thomas Awards. This prestigious event recognizes outstanding artists who have made a lasting impact on the performing arts landscape in Canada and beyond. This year, NTS is celebrating two major figures in theatre and multidisciplinary arts: ahdri zhina mandiela and Brigitte Poupart.
Read the complete press releaseGascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement

ahdri zina mandiela
ahdri zhina mandiela, a pivotal figure in Canada’s artistic landscape, is the recipient of the 2025 Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement. Poet, theatre producer, and artistic director, she has played a key role in the rise of Afro-Canadian theatre while mentoring and shaping generations of emerging artists across the globe.
Read the speech delivered during the ceremonyInterview with ahdri zina mandiela
Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Brigitte Poupart
Brigitte Poupart, a multidisciplinary artist, director, actress, and filmmaker, is the recipient of the 2025 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation. This award acknowledges her bold and groundbreaking approach that transcends artistic boundaries. Her work, merging theatre, dance, film, and performance, demonstrates profound artistic sensitivity and a steadfast commitment to innovation and diverse forms of expression.
Read the speech delivered during the ceremonyInterview with Brigitte Poupart
Gascon-Thomas 2025



Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025) and ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.


Léa Drolet (Interprétation, 2025) and Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.


From left to right: Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025), ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement), Léa Drolet (Interprétation, 2025), Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025) and Fanny Pagé (CEO of NTS) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.


From left to right:Léa Drolet (Interprétation, 2025) and Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.


Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025)


Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025)


From left to right: Zoe Daca (Production Design and Technical Arts, 2025), Léa Drolet (Interprétation, 2025), Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025), ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement) and Fanny Pagé (CEO of NTS) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National.


From left to right: ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement) and Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025) on the stage of the Ludger-Duvernay venue at Monument-National. The two artists received artworks created by Mégan Vallée (Set and Costume Design 2) and Tiphaine Bézie (Set and Costume Design 2).


Students are listening with attention to the speech of the Gascon-Thomas Awards recipients.


ahdri zina mandiela (Gascon-Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement) with friends.


Brigitte Poupart (Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation 2025) with family members.


Gascon-Thomas Awards 2025 Cocktail.

Photo Credit: Vincent Morreale
Recipients of the Gascon-Thomas Through the Years
Heather Redfern: Recipient of the 2023 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation
Guy Simard: Recipient of the 2023 Gascon-Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
Yvette Nolan: Recipient of the 2021 Gascon-Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
Mellissa Larivière: Recipient of the 2021 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Weyni Mengesha – Innovation Award
Gilles Renaud (Interprétation, 1967) – Lifetime Achievement Award


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