Ken & Ann Watts Memorial Foundation Scholarship
Deadlines
Ken & Ann Watts scholarships – Deadline: April 17, 2026.
Wayne Fairhead New Play Award – Deadline: April 17, 2026.
Ken & Ann Watts Scholarships and Bursaries
The Ken & Ann Watts Memorial Foundation Scholarships honour the remarkable legacy of Ken and Ann Watts, who shaped the foundation of what is now the NTS DramaFest (formerly the Sears Ontario Drama Festival).
Ken Watts founded the festival in 1946, and for nearly thirty years, he and Ann dedicated themselves to supporting high‑school theatre across Ontario. Their leadership opened doors for thousands of young artists — many of whom went on to make significant contributions to Canada’s performing arts landscape. Following Ann’s passing in 1981, a scholarship foundation was created in her name; after Ken’s passing in 2002, it was renamed to honour them both.
Their commitment to nurturing young actors, directors, designers, and playwrights continues to inspire the festival today.
Scholarship Description
Up to four scholarships are awarded each year to support students entering post‑secondary theatre programs.
Each scholarship totals $3,000 and is distributed over three years:
$1,000 per year, contingent upon the student’s continued enrolment and academic success.
Students entering a four‑year program are eligible for a total of $4,000, distributed at $1,000 per year.
These scholarships are intended to provide long‑term support as students advance through their training.
Bursary Description
In addition to the scholarships, four bursaries of $1,500 each are awarded annually.
Bursaries are one‑time payments, released upon receipt of proof of post‑secondary enrolment submitted to the scholarship administrator, Pouria Malekzadeh.
Wayne Fairhead New Play Award
The Wayne Fairhead New Play Award celebrates the imagination, craft, and unique voices of emerging playwrights within the NTS DramaFest community. Named in honour of Wayne Fairhead, whose decades of leadership and vision helped nurture generations of young theatre creators, this award recognizes outstanding original scripts written by high‑school students.
Guides & Documents
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Complete Festival Guidelines*
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Festival Guidelines Summary
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Adjudicators’ Guide
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Statement
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Community Agreement
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Media waiver
* La version française des documents suivra sou peu
