Nominations for the sixth annual Gina Wilkinson $5,000 Prize Now Being Accepted

Toronto, ON, October 17, 2016 — Nominations for the sixth annual Gina Wilkinson Prize (Gina’s Prize) are now being accepted. Established in memory of director Gina Wilkinson, who was a beloved actor and director across the country, the prize is intended to recognize an experienced female theatre artist transitioning from one theatre discipline into the discipline of theatre direction.  The annual prize pays tribute to Gina and her unyielding dedication, vision and indomitable spirit that imbued her work and her life.  The recipient will be chosen from nominations brought forward by members of the Canadian theatre community.  This year’s nomination deadline is December 15, 2016 with the award recipient announced on March 10, 2017. 

An actor for over twenty years, Gina began turning her attention to both writing and directing, and in the last few years of her too-short life established herself as a daring, strong, inventive and important director and collaborator in the Canadian theatre community.  Shortly after Gina died in December 2010, a fund was established to benefit female theatre directors.  The Gina Wilkinson Prize was made possible due to the generous support of over 200 people from across Canada.  In addition, a substantial gift was made to the fund in 2014 by the beneficiaries of the Estate of Elsie V. Adamson, a long-time friend and client of Martin Wilkinson, Gina’s brother.  In the spirit of Gina’s generousity and appetite for life, the prize is a gift to be used in any way the recipient chooses. 

Previous winners of the Gina Wilkinson Prize include: Ann-Marie Kerr of Halifax (2012), Krista Jackson of Winnipeg (2013) Christine Brubaker of Toronto (2014), Valerie Planche of Calgary (2015), and Kelli Fox of Toronto (2016).