Dates
Application Deadline: October 23, 2024
Program Dates: April 21 – May 03, 2025
Overview
The newly reimagined Playwrights Lab 2025 program offers an inspiring, interdisciplinary, and inclusive environment for both emerging and established playwrights, dramaturgs and creators of new theatrical work. We invite playwrights to develop compelling new work, with urgent narratives across all genres. Join us during this pivotal time when the theatre community is facing both crisis and renewal and where playwrights are the foundation for leading the way forward.
Description
Twenty Canadian writers will participate in a two-week residency gaining invaluable experience under the guidance of expert faculty. This residency provides a unique opportunity to refine your craft and connect with fellow playwrights. Emerging playwrights will receive hands-on instruction and practical feedback. Established playwrights will have more self-directed time to work on their projects. Participants will benefit from:
- Thematic Teaching: Explore key themes and techniques.
- Q&A Sessions: Engage in discussions with faculty.
- Seminars: Attend insightful seminars on various aspects of playwriting.
- One-on-One Workshopping: Receive personalized feedback and support.
- Studio Space: Playwrights will be offered a workspace suited to the nature of their creative projects.
- Dramaturgical Sessions: Develop your work with expert dramaturgical guidance.
- Apprentice Dramaturgs will receive mentorship from the faculty, and the ability to audit sessions where appropriate.
Faculty will offer constructive feedback, share ideas, and address the challenges of writing for contemporary theatre.
Requirements
- Playwrights at all stages of their careers who are looking to dedicate time to developing their scripts.
- Plays and ideas with a clear goal for production and a well-defined plan for the residency.
This year’s Lab features three application streams:
- Emerging Playwrights: For writers with less than 5 years of practice and fewer than 2 professionally produced plays. Emerging playwrights will receive hands-on instruction and practical feedback.
- Established Playwrights: For those with significant experience who are looking for dedicated time to work on their projects.
- Apprentice Dramaturg: For those interested in receiving mentorship from faculty and the opportunity to audit sessions where appropriate.
Please identify your preferred stream in your application.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Applications are open to Canadians and Permanent Residents only. Under the Jay Treaty in North America, Indigenous candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Plays that are commissioned by other theatres or producers are able to be accepted into the program but please include written permission from the commissioner stating that they support your application.
- For plays that are scheduled for premiere: provide information about the production, including dates and creative team.
- Playwrights who have attended the Lab or Retreat in the past 2 years or any other Banff Centre residencies in 12 months preceding the Lab are not eligible to apply.
Each residency has specific eligibility requirements; please visit our website for our current and available programs open for application.
Banff Centre offers a range of scholarship and funding opportunities for each residency. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials through the application portal.
100% scholarship covers the full cost of the program.
Please visit the Fees & Financial Aid section of the program page to learn more about individual program's specific fees and funding availabilities.