Students take part in this exciting event by attending the live performance, watching the event via livestream in their classroom, or viewing recordings of all three finalist plays on our website. Once they've experienced the plays, it's time for the most important part—they cast their vote.
The three finalists for the 2026 Martin Lysicrates Prize are:
- Brendan Hogan – Sucks to be You
- James Elazzi – Kafta Boy
- Maxine Mellor – The Weird Sisters
Every submission is assessed anonymously by a panel of theatre professionals, who create a shortlist before members of the Martin Lysicrates Foundation and Advisory Panel select the three finalists.
The quality of this year's entries is exceptional, making the selection process incredibly competitive. Choosing the final three proves to be one of the closest and most challenging decisions the judging panel has faced.
MEET OUR INCREDIBLE PLAYWRIGHTS!
Brendan Hogan
Sucks to be You
Brendan Hogan is a multi-award-winning writer, theatre-maker and educator from north-east Victoria who writes stories for young people — and anyone who remembers being one. His plays have been performed across Australia, exploring big questions through sharp humour and genuine heart. Brendan believes theatre should make you laugh, squirm, and feel a little braver by the time you leave.
Brendan Hogan grew up in the bush with five sisters, a busted-up bike, and a head full of weird ideas. He wrote his own stories, drew his own comics, and once started a detective agency with zero clients and very suspicious business cards.
James Elazzi
Kafta Boy
James Elazzi is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and director. His plays have been nominated in the NSW Premier's Literary Award three years consecutively, shortlisted twice in the Rodney Seaborne Award, four time award winner in the Sydney Theatre Awards and is a three time Silver Gull Playwriting Award Nominee.
James was Assistant Director on Holding the Man (2024 Belvoir St Theatre). His new work, Karim will open in July 20224. James' sold out theatre stage plays include Son of Byblos (Belvoir St Theatre 25A), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre of Parramatta), Queen Fatima (National Theatre of Parramatta) and Omar and Dawn (KXT). In 2023-2024, James wrote, directed and produced his second short film about Lebanese migration, Seeds of Gold. In 2022, James directed and produced his short film Yannis which has officially been selected in more than 17 Film Festivals around the world including Los Angeles, Poland, Lebanon, Greece and Italy.
It has since won Best Performances in the 2022 LGBTQI+ Los Angeles Film Festival and nominated 7 times in the Made in The West Film Festival, including best director and screenplay, winning best Lead Actor.
Maxine Mellor
The Weird Sisters
Maxine Mellor is an award-winning playwright and teaching artist, drawn to magical realism and black comedy. She won the 2023 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award for O’Mighty Make-Believe, the David Williamson Award for Playwriting (2022) and the AWGIE Award for Best Original Play (Horizon, 2022), the Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship (2017), the Max Afford Award (The Silver Alps, 2014), the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award (Trollop, 2012), the Edward Albee New York City Residency (2012), a Matilda Award for Best New Work for Performance (Magda’s Fascination with Wax Cats, 2005), and Queensland Theatre’s Young Playwright’s Award (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005).
Recent productions include Icarus (Queensland Theatre Company, 2026), Mystery Quest (Indelarts 2025], Breaking (Counterpilot, 2023), Horizon (Playlab, 2021 and 2023), The Wind in the Willows (La Boite, 2015), and Trollop (Queensland Theatre, 2013). She recently adapted her play Anna Robi & The House of Dogs into a feature film with support from Screen Australia.