In addition to its advocacy initiatives, PGC provides a number of programs and services for its members, and the wider theatre community.

Negotiation of Collective Agreements with PACT

Every three years, PGC negotiates collective agreements with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT). These contracts set industry standards and generally help playwrights when they negotiate their own contracts with a theatre.

RRSP Program: For all members whose work is produced by PACT theatres, PGC negotiated a minimum RRSP payment on Stock, Premiere and Commission PGC/ PACT Contracts.

If you would like copies of any of the standard contracts, please contact the office.

Administration of Amateur Rights for Members

On request, PGC will administer amateur production rights for members' professionally produced plays. An amateur production is a production by a school, community group or amateur theatre group. The representative will fill out the form to request rights from PGC.

If you would like to secure the rights for an amateur production, there is more information available on the Services for Visitors page.

Women's Caucus

The Women's Caucus was established to meet the particular needs of women playwrights. Its members meet at the AGM and have a separate ListServ. It administers the annual Bra d'or award to recognize a theatre professional for his/hersupport of women playwrights.

Professional development: workshops and master classes

Throughout the year, PGC organizes professional development workshops and master classes for its members and for emerging playwrights. The topics range from grant-writing, researching theatres and sending out scripts, copyright, self-producing, promotion, getting an agent etc.

Copyscript Marketing & Distribution

The Copyscript program is a copying or scanning and distribution program for unpublished professionally produced Canadian plays. Currently there are over 2,500 scripts available for purchase from PGC.

To purchase copyscripts, and other plays available through PGC, visit the Playwrights and Plays directory. Plays available can be found under each member's profile.

Canada Council Readings

This program creates opportunities for community organizations to invite Canadian playwrights to read in public venues by subsidizing the playwright's reading fees and travel expenses. The program is funded by the Canada Council and administered by Playwrights Guild of Canada.

To book a playwright for a Canada Council Reading, visit the Services for Visitors page.

E-bulletins

PGC sends out regular e-bulletins exclusively to members, including the monthly CanScene bulletin, as well as special notices and reminders. The e-bulletins contain important information such as messages from the Executive Director, calls for submissions, workshop and residency opportunities, and more.

PGC also circulates a community news bulletin, which is open to the public, and includes news about PGC activity and Canadian playwriting. Anyone can sign up for the community newsletter using the online form.

CanRevue: Promotional Mini E-catalogue

This electronic newsletter, published every two months, has been created to promote the new work of PGC members.  Plays by PGC members that have been received by the office are entered into the Copyscript Program and promoted in CanRevue.

Events and Awards

PGC organizes a number of events throughout the year, either on its own or in partnership. Information regarding awards for playwriting can be found on the awards page.

Annual General Meeting

Once a year the PGC hosts a general meeting open to all PGC members and members of the public. In past years, the AGM has been held in Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.

All members are invited to address the business of the association and to receive reports from the National Council members and staff. This includes financial matters and policies regarding the organization's activities. Held in conjunction with the AGM is a conference or workshop series to provide professional development and networking opportunities for members.