An important part of the Playhouse mission statement is the fostering and development of new plays with the hope that they may go on to become part of the Canadian Theatrical canon and enrich the country’s theatre scene. Associate Artistic Director Kathryn MacKay reads and considers all plays which are submitted to the Playhouse. A few of the most promising are selected for further readings and workshops by the acting company and artistic staff, with a view to assisting the playwright further develop their work. Some of these plays have been produced at the Playhouse before going on to be produced in theatres across the country. Mo Bock’s Quarry and Dekker’s Last Stand, and Douglas Bowie’s Rope’s End and Till It Hurts are examples of plays which were developed and first produced by the Playhouse.

In the fall of 2009, after a week of intensive workshops and rehearsing, the Playhouse also presented a concert version of Barb Dwyre, a new musical by Resident Musical Director Sandy Thorburn and Rosemary Doyle. This will hopefully be the first in a long line of new Canadian musicals which the Playhouse will help to nurture and develop.