Young playwright Leroy Nurkka (Kūki ’Āirani, Finland) has taken the top prize in Playmarket’s 2026 Playwrights b4 25 competition supported by Auckland Live, with his play Queen Bitch.
Originally from Rotorua and now living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Leroy completed his Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University in 2022 and his Master of Arts in Scriptwriting at the International Institute of Modern Letters in 2025. He was shortlisted for Playwrights b4 25 in 2024 with Run Coyote Run, which premiered at BATS Theatre last year.
Leroy’s new play Queen Bitch is a grounded, poetic drama set against a landscape of partying and facing up to the world around you. Rich and evocative, it is a deft balance of absurdist comedy, erotic tenderness and psychological horror.
One judge described it as “an outstanding achievement. The writer has a skilful grasp of poetic imagery and authentic characterisation.” Another described it as “memorable and wholly original.”
Wellington playwright and recent Toi Whakaari graduate Sarah Lawrence was highly commended for her play EGGS, which sees four half-sisters earn money by eating the sins of rich men. Judges described this bold new work as “arresting” and “moving”.
The Playwrights b4 25 competition, run by Playmarket, the agency for New Zealand playwrights, recognises the best new writing for the stage by writers under the age of 25. Auckland Live, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, is the sponsor of the prize of $1,500 for the winning playwright, to put towards the development of a new work. Auckland Live has supported this kaupapa since 2015.
Helaina Keeley, Auckland Live’s Manager, Performing Arts, says, “Some of the most exciting moments in our work come from discovering a new voice. Supporting emerging playwrights is about giving artists the space and confidence to tell stories only they can tell and we’re proud to be able to play a small part in that journey.”
Past winners of the competition include Alex Medland, Jess Sayer, Nathan Joe, Sam Brooks and Cassandra Tse. Murray Lynch, Playmarket’s Tumuaki says, “Emerging playwrights push boundaries and question received wisdom. There is such a sense of ambition and discovery in this year’s shortlisted and winning plays.”
Three other plays were shortlisted for the award. The plays and their writers are:
Nervous System by Gemma Bennion
Entertaining Angels Unaware by Penelope Hare
Count Down to Midnight by Aedan Ward
Playmarket’s major funders are Creative New Zealand and Foundation North.