Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM) is thrilled to announce playwright Ameer Idreis as the inaugural recipient of the Andy McKim Endowment Fund for New Works, a fund established to champion visionary artists and support the development of bold, original Canadian theatre.

Idreis is recognized for his development of the play Ships in the Night, a work that centres Palestinian stories with humour and heart while engaging with complex conversations around identity, justice, and belonging.

The Endowment Fund honours former Artistic Director Andy McKim and reflects TPM’s long-standing commitment to nurturing artist-driven creation, amplifying underrepresented voices, and ensuring that new works continue to thrive amid diminishing commissioning resources across the sector.

Ameer Idreis states, “I’m deeply honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the Andy McKim Endowment Fund for New Works.

"This support comes at a crucial moment in developing Ships in the Night, which centres Palestinian storytelling with humour, depth, and care while engaging with ongoing injustices and questions of belonging.

"Being recognized by Theatre Passe Muraille — and in honour of Andy McKim’s legacy — is a powerful affirmation as I continue this work. I’m grateful to everyone who made this Endowment possible.” 

Says Andy McKim, “I’m thrilled that Ameer Idreis is the first recipient of the Fund. His voice, curiosity, and compassion reflect the very spirit this Endowment was created to champion — bold artists who reshape how we understand ourselves, one another, and the world we live in.”

According to Jeff Chan, Chair of the Board, “Ameer’s work embodies TPM’s commitment to innovative, socially engaged creation. The Board is delighted to recognize him as the first recipient of the Andy McKim Endowment Fund and to continue supporting artists who challenge and expand the possibilities of Canadian theatre.”

The TPM Leadership (Marjorie Chan & Indrit Kasapi) say, “We are honoured to support Ameer as he continues developing this thoughtful and necessary work. His storytelling is deeply human, incisive, and aligned with TPM’s values of innovation, multiplicity, and community-rooted creation.”

PUBLIC CELEBRATION — FEBRUARY 2, 2026

The recipient was announced this evening at a public celebration at Theatre Passe Muraille, marking the launch of the Andy McKim Endowment Fund for New Works. The event brought together artists, supporters, and members of the theatre community to honour Andy McKim’s legacy and celebrate Ameer Idreis as the Fund’s inaugural recipient.

ABOUT THE ANDY McKIM ENDOWMENT FUND FOR NEW WORKS

The Andy McKim Endowment Fund for New Works provides sustained support to an artist creating new work aligned with TPM’s mandate. It honours Andy McKim’s legacy of fostering innovation, amplifying underrepresented voices, and protecting space for artists to experiment, provoke, and imagine new theatrical possibilities.

Photo: Ameer Idreis.