Ravi Jain, founder of Why Not Theatre, won Canada’s 2025 Siminovitch Prize for his innovative, inclusive theatre work.

Ravi Jain, founder of Toronto’s Why Not Theatre, has won Canada’s 2025 Siminovitch Prize, the nation’s top theatre honor, receiving $100,000. The award recognizes his innovative, inclusive work, including the bilingual ASL/English “Prince Hamlet” and the two-part “Mahabharata” adaptation. This year’s 25th anniversary edition expanded eligibility beyond directors, playwrights, and designers, and increased the prize amount. Jain selected co-creator Miriam Fernandes as his protege, awarding her $25,000. The ceremony took place on December 1, 2025, in Toronto.