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Steve Ross

Playwright

Born and raised in the Niagara Region, Steve had humble beginnings in the community theatres of Grimsby, Smithville and St. Catharines. This led to stints at both Brock University and The National Theatre School of Canada where he studied acting. He’s performed in both plays and musicals across the country and this year will mark his 23rd season with The Stratford Festival.

A professional actor for over 30 years now, his writing career began during the pandemic. He wrote and directed goldfish for the Here for Now Festival in Stratford (special thanks to Fiona Mungillo) and followed that up with Life Without which brought critical acclaim for both the writing and the production. The following year saw 12 Dinners sell out the entire run and break box office records. In 2025, both 12 Dinners and goldfish received second productions and his first play Mechanically Inclined had its world premiere. He is also the author of Wolf, Early Genius, Bay Wedding and Departure.

Steve is the recipient of a Dora Award, a Broadwayworld Theatre Award and four Tyrone Guthrie Awards.

 

Published Works

12 Dinners published by Playwrights Guild of Canada

Life Without published by Playwrights Guild of Canada

goldfish published by Playwrights Guild of Canada

Mechanically Inclined published by Playwrights Guild of Canada

12 Dinners is a powerful piece of theatre... By showing the different ways in which mother and son cope with the effects of mental illness, Ross helps to remove the sense of shame and silence that many people still feel when confronted with the subject. 

Stage Door
Christopher Hoile

(Praise for goldfish:) 

Steve Ross has written a sweet and heart-squeezing play. He deals sensitively with dementia, loneliness, gender issues, relationships, friendships when you least expect it and generosity of spirit.

The Slotkin Letter