Olga Braga has been named the winner of the 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award for her powerful play *Donbas*. Olga received the award from Theatre503’s Chair, James Dacre, and Artistic Director, Anthony Simpson-Pike, during a ceremony held at the 503Studio in Nine Elms.
Based in London, Olga is a Ukrainian playwright and screenwriter. Her previous work, Return to Sender, was a finalist for the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. Other notable plays include Leave to Remain, which was performed at Brockley Jack as rock paper scissors. She has also won the Off-West-End Adopt a Playwright Award and has been shortlisted for several prestigious honors, including the Verity Bargate Award, the Phil Fox Award, and the Traverse Theatre New Writing Award. Olga is currently attached to the National Theatre and is under commission for the RSC.
The world premiere of Olga’s award-winning play Donbas will be produced at Theatre503 as part of the prize package, which also includes a cash reward of £6,000, a production license, and publication of the play by Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals Company.
Nominated as a stark portrayal of survival and quiet resistance, Donbas* explores a path beyond despair while reflecting on a frozen conflict and its impacts on a fractured Western world. The story follows Sashare, who returns home to his father, Seryoga, and new girlfriend, Marianca, in a war-torn Ukrainian town. Their lives intertwine with local soldiers Dmitry and Alexei as they navigate a landscape marked by conflict and rising extremism.
Donbas was chosen from a remarkable pool of 1,377 submissions from 49 countries. The judging panel included Waleed Akhtar (playwright), Jack Bradley (dramaturg), Tian Brown-Sampson (director and Theatre503 board member), Chris Bush (playwright), Pooja Ghai (artistic director of Tamasha), and Pippa Hill (dramaturg and producer). Other finalists included:
- Annice, A Slave by Joslyn Housley (Evanston, USA)
- Dead Skin by Marie Amélie Giron (Paris, France)
- Dog Dog Dog by Terri Jade Donovan (Stockport, UK)
- Final Boarding Call by Stefani Kuo (New York, USA)
Expressing her gratitude, Olga commented: “Winning the 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award is an extraordinary honor. I’m deeply thankful to Theatre503 for believing in this play, and I can’t wait to bring it to life with such a passionate team. I feel fortunate to be welcomed into a community that champions new voices and dares to tell important stories, especially in these times when live theatre is needed more than ever. The work done by Theatre503 is vital—it nurtures growth and fosters new talent, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of it. Having seen other works staged at this venue, having everything come full circle with this award is truly special.”
James Dacre, Chair of the Judging Panel and Chair of Theatre503, said: “This year’s shortlist features 1,377 debut plays from an incredibly diverse array of international playwrights. We are grateful to Theatre503’s literary team and our industry judging panel for their commitment to a thorough reading and selection process, helping to unearth the theatrical voices of tomorrow.”
Anthony Simpson-Pike, Artistic Director of Theatre503, added, “We are thrilled that the panel has chosen Donbas as the winner of our International Playwriting Award. The competition was intense, and all our finalists are exceptional writers with tremendous potential. Olga’s winning play embodies the groundbreaking and urgent work we aim to produce at Theatre503. Donbas asks significant global questions while shining a light on our shared humanity. Olga has a bright future ahead.”
The 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award has been generously supported by Philip Carne MBE & Christine Carne and Samuel French Limited, a Concord Theatricals Company.
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