The Cooper Prize
SHOW DETAILS:
Thursday 3 December 2026
duration: TBC
times: 7:30pm
ticket price: $35 – $45
bookings: 03 9662 9966
warnings: TBC
The 16th Street Foundation and Company 16 invite you to the announcement of The Cooper Prize 2026 winner, a prestigious international $20,000 playwriting award championing bold, original theatrical voices.
During the evening, excerpts from the top four finalists’ new theatre works will be presented through professionally directed readings, brought to life by an ensemble of Melbourne’s finest actors, culminating in the live announcement of this year’s winner.
“The Cooper Prize stands as a beacon for work that might otherwise never be heard – and in doing so, reaffirms the power of the arts to awaken, challenge, and heal.” – Philanthropist, Peter Cooper
“While many international awards exist, few actively encourage writers to sit inside the ambiguity of life – to explore its contradictions rather than resolve them. What distinguishes the Cooper Prize is its commitment to one of the most vital functions of art: to provoke thought, to expand emotional understanding, and to bridge the space between intellect and feeling.” – Associate Artistic Director of 16th Street, Harry Haynes
Ticket Prices:
Full: $45
Concession: $35
Concessions:
Pensioners/Full-time students/MEAA members
Ticket sales are subject to a booking fee of $5.00 per ticket
Ticket fees are charged reluctantly. As an unfunded CBD located venue, our expenses continue to rise. If fortyfivedownstairs is to survive, we are obliged to increase our revenue without inflicting costs on already struggling artists. Without support, we risk losing artists or having to close our doors. We do hope for your understanding!