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Acclaimed Toronto-based theatre creator Ravi Jain, known for his boundary-breaking, globally recognized body of work, has been named the 2025 Siminovitch Prize Laureate, Canada’s top theatre honour.

The announcement was made following the premiere of four short documentaries profiling the 2025 finalists. In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to Canadian theatre, Jain receives a $100,000 prize and has chosen Miriam Fernandes as the Siminovitch Prize Protégé, who receives $25,000.

“Ravi Jain is a creator of remarkable range and audacity, whose career has consistently redefined what Canadian theatre can be. His works span the intimate and the epic, yet each bears the imprint of a restless curiosity and a refusal to repeat established formulas. The jury recognized Jain not only as an artist of brilliance but also as a builder reshaping the ecosystem around him. His works are notable for their inclusivity, their appetite for risk, and their ability to surprise.” Guillermo Verdecchia, 2025 Siminovitch Prize Jury Chair

Ravi Jain, the founder of Why Not Theatre, collides movement, narrative, realism, devised practice, and social engagement while centring equity, access, and radical inclusion to create groundbreaking theatre. From the acclaimed Prince Hamlet, a bilingual ASL/English reimagining of Shakespeare, to his epic staging of Mahabharata, Jain blends theatrical daring with social consciousness. A visionary artistic director, versatile director, astute producer, and playful actor, Ravi Jain has spent his career reimagining theatre and enriching the lives of both audiences and artists.



With Why Not Theatre, Jain has created over forty collaborations and performed across five continents. His productions have toured for years after their premieres, and have been presented at major festivals in Canada and abroad. His recent adaptation of Mahabharata premiered at the Shaw Festival, had sold-out runs at London’s Barbican and Lincoln Center in New York, and was presented by the National Arts Centre and Canadian Stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre.



“At the heart of what I do is create processes and work that inspire alternative visions of existence. Art is a tool for social change, both the process and the art are revolutions of imagination - and  ways to inspire us all to be better listeners, feelers and people.”  
Ravi Jain, 2025 Siminovitch Prize Laureate



READ RAVI'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Siminovitch Protégé Prize

Presented by the Sabourin Family Foundation, the Siminovitch Protégé Prize underscores the importance of mentorship in sustaining Canadian theatre’s creative ecosystem.

Ravi Jain has selected Miriam Fernandes as the 2025 Siminovitch Prize Protégé. Fernandes is the Co-Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre, having worked primarily as a creator and performer for over a decade, she is now turning her focus toward directing. Recent creation credits include Mahabharata and What You Won’t Do for Love. Directing credits include Sangen fra Verdens Ende, The Courage to Right a Woman’s Wrongs, Metamorphoses, Hayavadana, and Nesen.

2025 Siminovitch Prize Emerging Artist Grant Recipients. Selected by the 2025 Siminovitch Prize finalists, Howard Dai (BC), Kathleen MacLean (SK), and Mary-Lee Picknell (QC) are this year's grant recipients:

• Howard Dai Selected by Adrienne Wong
• Kathleen MacLean
Selected by Estelle Shook
• Mary-Lee Picknell
Selected by Anne-Marie Olivier

A Record $170,000 Awarded This Year



• $100,000 to the Laureate (Ravi Jain)

• $25,000 to the Protégé (Miriam Fernandes)

• $10,000 to each of the three finalists (Anne-Marie Olivier, Estelle Shook, Adrienne Wong)

• $5,000 to each of the three emerging artists selected by the finalists (Howard Dai, Kathleen McLean, Mary-Lee Picknell)



The Siminovitch Theatre Foundation is grateful for the support from the National Arts Centre English Theatre, whose generous one-year supplement to the 2025 Siminovitch Prize encourages the creation of Canadian theatre. Furthermore, the Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, whose commitment to the Siminovitch Prize will provide a three-year supplement through to December 2028. In addition to these extraordinary contributions, Power Corporation of Canada is proud to serve as the presenter of the Siminovitch Prize shortlist. Their three-year commitment has made it possible to double the mid-career shortlist award.



Committed to artistic growth and mentorship, the Siminovitch Theatre Foundation will also provide each mentor/mentee pair with $2,000 to support their collaboration over the next year.

Thanks to a partnership with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the National Arts Centre English Theatre, Ravi Jain, 2025 Siminovitch Prize Laureate and Miriam Fernandes, Siminovitch Prize Protégé, will also be given a two-week artist residency at the Banff Playwrights Lab in 2026.

Siminovitch Theatre Foundation

The Siminovitch Theatre Foundation elevates visionary theatre artists and fuels the future of Canadian theatre. Over 130 creators have been propelled forward through profile, mentorship, and significant financial support. This impact exists because of the generosity of donors, sponsors, and a volunteer Board of Directors — there is no endowment, just belief in artists and bold ideas.


“In this milestone 25th year, we challenged ourselves to make meaningful change — increasing the Siminovitch Prize and broadening who can be recognized. These four finalists exemplify why we made these bold choices: they are artists who shape the stories of who we are as a country and help us imagine what our future could be.” - Aimée Ippersiel, Executive Director, Siminovitch Theatre Foundation