The Lysicrates Foundation

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The Lysicrates Foundation The Lysicrates Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation promoting the performing arts and the visual arts in Australia.

It hosts annual playwriting challenges. Visit lysicratesfoundation.org.au and martinlysicrates.com.au

Introducing our wonderful cast for the 2026 Martin-Lysicrates prize: Jenny Guigayoma, Karrine Kanaan, JK Kazzi and Ziggy...
13/08/2026

Introducing our wonderful cast for the 2026 Martin-Lysicrates prize: Jenny Guigayoma, Karrine Kanaan, JK Kazzi and Ziggy Resnick!

Jenny Guigayoma is a Filipina-Australian actor, 2025 graduate of the NIDA BFA (Singing Actor) and was most recently seen as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (dir. Julia Robertson). In her time at drama school her credits included Luisa in Nine (dir. Dean Drieberg), Ashlee in Dance Nation (dir. Nigel Turner-Carroll) and Michael Darling in Peter Pan (dir. Ben Schostakowski). She also completed the WAAPA Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2022 and has participated in moved readings for Slanted Theatre and The Hayes Festival of New Works.

Karrine Kanaan (she/her) is a Lebanese-Australian actor from Meanjin/Brisbane. In 2024, Karrine graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) at QUT, which followed her training in Queensland Theatre Company’s Young Artists Ensemble (2019-2021). Her recent theatre credits include ‘EDEN’ (Siren Theatre Co, 2026), ‘These Youths Be Protesting’ (KXT, 2025) and ‘She Threaded Dangerously’ (Old Fitz Theatre, 2025). Karrine has also collaborated in staged readings and developments with Queensland Theatre Company, ATYP, debase productions and theatrePUNK co. Last year, Karrine made her screen directorial debut with ‘ROOMIES’ (Kite Studios, 2025), a comedy web series, in which she also worked as an actor, writer and producer. 

JK Kazzi is a NIDA graduate. In 2024, he made his screen debut on Home & Away (Seven Network), before working alongside Sam Neill in Season 3 of The Twelve (Binge). He was also awarded the MEAA Equity Internship with Bunya Productions for Mystery Road: Origins (ABC), and starred in Sirens (ABC iview). In 2025, JK made his stage debut as Henry V in Bell Shakespeare’s Henry V. In 2026, he starred as Danny in John Patrick Shanley’s critically acclaimed Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

Ziggy is a performer, writer and graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA BFA acting 2020). Ziggy’s most recent theatre credits include; The Shiralee (Sydney Theatre Co.), Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (Belvoir Street Theatre), and Henry V (Bell Shakespeare).

Our final director is Lucy Rossen!Lucy Rossen is an Australian actor and director, working across stage and screen. Her ...
13/08/2026

Our final director is Lucy Rossen!

Lucy Rossen is an Australian actor and director, working across stage and screen. Her practice is collaborative and community-driven, with a focus on creating playful work that explores rhythm, sensation, and form. 

Her directing spans theatre, comedy, film and multidisciplinary performance, with recent work shown at The Old Fitz, Edinburgh Fringe, Copenhagen Stage, Sydney World Pride, Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival and RAGE TV.

Lucy will be directing Maxine Mellor’s The Weird Sisters!

Our second director is Violette Ayad!Violette Ayad was born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja to Palestinian and Lebanese parent...
13/08/2026

Our second director is Violette Ayad!

Violette Ayad was born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja to Palestinian and Lebanese parents. She is now based on Gadigal land where she works as an actor, writer, director and voice artist. 

Violette recently directed her debut theatre work Everything I Know About This Water Bottle for the Old Fitz theatre, and assistant directed on Misery Loves Company in 2024. Violette is directing an upcoming production of a new work called The Party There for 25a in June 2027.

Violette will be directing James Elazzi’s Kafta Boy!

The 2026 Martin-Lysicrates Prize is tomorrow and we are so excited to introduce our first director: Mathew Lee!Mathew Le...
13/08/2026

The 2026 Martin-Lysicrates Prize is tomorrow and we are so excited to introduce our first director: Mathew Lee!

Mathew Lee is a Gadigal-based theatre-maker and founder of Legit Theatre Co. His directing credits include Symphonie Fantastique (Little Eggs, 2021) winning Best Independent Production at the STAs, Misery Loves Company (Legit Theatre Co.), he assisted the direction of Much Ado About Nothing (Sport for Jove’s Summer Season) and directed Cadaver Synod (NIDA/bAKEHOUSE). Mathew produced Legit Theatre Co.’s Dumb Kids and Misery Loves Company at KXT, and Furious Mattress and The Edit at Belvoir 25A. As an actor, he has toured nationally and internationally with CDP Theatre Producers and Monkey Baa, most recently Andy Griffith’s You & Me and the Land of Lost Things (CDP). 

Mathew will be directing our first piece: Brendan Hogan’s Sucks To Be You!

Announcing our last finalist, Maxine Mellor, and her play THE WEIRD SISTERS!At midnight, on the desolate moors of a new ...
02/07/2026

Announcing our last finalist, Maxine Mellor, and her play THE WEIRD SISTERS!

At midnight, on the desolate moors of a new housing estate, three sisters perform a ritual with the only ingredients that remains of their mother: her leftover beauty products. The Weird Sisters is a sharp, blackly comic coming-of-age story – a chaotic, witchy. GRWM where contouring meets conjuring, and three young women discover that transformation doesn’t come from perfection, but from facing what’s already within.

Maxine Mellor is an award-winning playwright and teaching artist, drawn to magical realism and black comedy. She won the 2023 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award for O’Mighty Make-Believe, the David Williamson Award for Playwriting [2022] and the AWGIE Award for Best Original Play [Horizon, 2022], the Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship [2017], the Max Afford Award [The Silver Alps, 2014], the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award [Trollop, 2012], the Edward Albee New York City Residency [2012], a Matilda Award for Best New Work for Performance [Magda’s Fascination with Wax Cats, 2005], and Queensland Theatre’s Young Playwright’s Award [2001, 2002, 2003, 2005].

Recent productions include Icarus [Queensland Theatre Company, 2026], Mystery Quest [Indelarts 2025], Breaking [Counterpilot, 2023], Horizon [Playlab, 2021 and 2023], The Wind in the Willows [La Boite, 2015], and Trollop [Queensland Theatre, 2013]. She recently adapted her play Anna Robi & The House of Dogs into a feature film with support from Screen Australia.

Catch Maxine’s script at our live event on Friday the 14th August, in-person and online!

Announcing our next finalist, James Elazzi, and his play KAFTA BOY!Ali is 13 and just trying to survive school. After a ...
02/07/2026

Announcing our next finalist, James Elazzi, and his play KAFTA BOY!

Ali is 13 and just trying to survive school. After a humiliating bullying incident in the school yard, Ali is left feeling completely alone. At home, his grandmother Tetah tries to comfort him with humour, food, and an ancient Arabic saying— a prayer to ask for a friend who truly understands you. That night, desperate and angry, Ali repeats the words. And something answers. A new boy appears.

Kafta Boy is a fast-paced, darkly funny and heartfelt play about identity, bullying, and the dangerous appeal of shutting down your emotions. It speaks directly to young audiences about the pressure to fit in, the fear of standing out, and the importance of staying connected to who you are.

James Elazzi is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and director. His plays have been nominated in the NSW Premier’s Literary Award three years consecutively, shortlisted twice in the Rodney Seaborne Award, four time award winner in the Sydney Theatre Awards and is a three time Silver Gull Playwriting Award Nominee.

James was Assistant Director on Holding the Man (2024 Belvoir St Theatre). His play, Karim opened in 2024. James’ sold out theatre stage plays include Son of Byblos (Belvoir St Theatre 25A), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre of Parramatta), Queen Fatima (National Theatre of Parramatta) and Omar and Dawn (KXT). In 2023-2024, James wrote, directed and produced his second short film about Lebanese migration, Seeds of Gold. In 2022, James directed and produced his short film Yannis which has officially been selected in more than 17 Film Festivals around the world including Los Angeles, Poland, Lebanon, Greece and Italy.

It has since won Best Performances in the 2022 LGBTQI+ Los Angeles Film Festival and nominated 7 times in the Made in The West Film Festival, including best director and screenplay, winning best Lead Actor.

Catch James’ script at our live event on Friday the 14th of August, in-person and online!

Announcing our first finalist, Brendan Hogan, and his play SUCKS TO BE YOU!When a terrified vampire crashes the world’s ...
01/07/2026

Announcing our first finalist, Brendan Hogan, and his play SUCKS TO BE YOU!

When a terrified vampire crashes the world’s loneliest birthday party at the Totally Fun for Everyone Play Centre, the fifteen-year-old running the ticket booth has to choose between the rules she’s been given, the fear she’s been taught, and the kid standing right in front of her who just wants somewhere safe to be.

Brendan Hogan is a multi-award winning writer, theatre-maker and educator from north-east Victoria who writes stories for young people — and anyone who remembers being one. His plays have been performed across Australia, exploring big questions through sharp humour and genuine heart. Brendan believes theatre should make you laugh, squirm, and feel a little braver by the time you leave.

Catch Brendan’s script at our live event on Friday the 14th August, in-person and online!

GET EXCITED! A team of judges and industry readers have spent weeks deliberating and we are ONE DAY AWAY from announcing...
01/07/2026

GET EXCITED! A team of judges and industry readers have spent weeks deliberating and we are ONE DAY AWAY from announcing the finalists of the 2026 Martin-Lysicrates prize.

Stay tuned!

TWO DAYS LEFT TO SUBMIT!Attention all playwrights: Applications for the ninth Martin-Lysicrates Prize close THIS WEDNESD...
04/05/2026

TWO DAYS LEFT TO SUBMIT!

Attention all playwrights: Applications for the ninth Martin-Lysicrates Prize close THIS WEDNESDAY AT 5PM!

You are invited to submit the first 10-12 minutes of a new play for young people aged 12–15 years, to go in the running to be awarded a commission of $15,000 and dramaturgical support to complete the play. Three finalists will have their scenes performed at a live event for young people on Friday 14th of August, where the kids vote on their favourite play.

The annual Martin-Lysicrates Prize, first awarded in 2017, celebrates the best new Australian writing in theatre for young people. At the heart of the Martin-Lysicrates Prize are young people and their worldview. Young people are the inspiration and intended audience of this unique commission; as well as key participants in the process of awarding the annual Prize.

Applications are now open, and will close Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 5pm. For more information, the Prize’s application processes and to submit your play, head to https://www.martinlysicrates.com.au/ or the link in our bio!

Address

Level 40, Governer Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place
Sydney, NSW

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+61298730087

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