The winner of this year’s $1000,000 Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre is Montreal playwright Olivier Choinière.

When asked about his initial reaction to the news, Choinière replied, “Thank you to the Jury members and to all who work for this extraordinary prize. Over and above the money or the time and means it provides, the real significance of this prize is this: to encourage the pursuit of an ever greater freedom, among those few that last and endure.”

Choinière was honoured Monday night, at the University of Toronto’s Hart House theatre

Susan Coyne and Mark McKinney hosted the event.

I’ll have a complete report on the event, with photos, Tuesday.

$25,000 of the $100,000 prize money goes toward a protégée chosen by Choinière.

Choinière selected playwright & actress Annick Lefebvre.

Lefebvre will be on stage at the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui in the cast of 26 lettres: abécédaire des mots en perte des sens, a new play by Olivier Choinière, and the same theatre where her own play, J’accuse, will be directed by Sylvain Bélanger in April, 2015.

“This Prize, and its protégé component, allows us to reflect on the importance of theatre to our country’s cultural life, the need of its artists for support, recognition and opportunities for risk-taking, and the incredible value of mentorship,” said Dr. Kathy Siminovitch.

“We are delighted to support Canadian theatre artists with the help of our Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management, and partners University of Toronto, Hart House Theatre and the Friends of the Siminovitch Prize.”