Posted: March 15, 2021

Deadline to submit: April 12, 2021

‍

Introducing the Playwrights’ Gym!

‍

Green Thumb Theatre’s Playwrights’ Gym is a paid playwright development program led by Green Thumb Artistic Director Rachel Aberle.

The Playwrights’ Gym provides time to study and develop skills specific to creating for Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) — with a particular focus on work that tours to schools.

Unlike a traditional playwrights’ unit where writers focus on one specific project for the duration of the program, each week of the Playwrights’ Gym will focus on different aspects specific to writing for touring TYA. The program will be comprised of group discussion of reading materials, self-paced writing time, time to share writing with the group, and one-on-one discussions with Rachel.

This program is open to emerging and mid-career playwrights based in the Lower Mainland of BC who have an interest in creating work for young audiences. If you are not based in the Lower Mainland, but have strong ties to the area, please contact us to outline the specifics of your case.

As an active measure to dismantle inequity in the Canadian theatre sector, two positions in the Playwrights’ Gym have been earmarked specifically for BIPOC playwrights. We encourage racialized candidates to self-identify as they feel comfortable.

‍

Program timeline: July 5, 2021 – July 30, 2021

Participants should plan to spend up to 30 hrs/week on Playwrights’ Gym related activities. This includes up to 12 hours of “in-class” time between Monday and Friday, with the remaining time devoted to self-paced creative exploration. Class time will take place over Zoom or in a COVID-safe in-person environment, depending on the active BC public health orders in July 2021.

‍

Remuneration: $2800 / per participant

‍

Deadline to submit: April 12, 2021

‍

To apply please submit:

‍

An artistic resume and contact information for two professional, academic, or personal references (PDF format)

‍

A writing sample (PDF format) that is either:

- A maximum of 3 pages of dialogue OR A maximum of 1 page of a solo show

‍

A personal artistic statement (PDF format max. 2 pages, font size 11 or larger) outlining the following:

- What themes or narratives you are most attracted to as a writer

- What your understanding of Theatre for Young Audiences is and what speaks to you about this type of work

- A moment in theatre that you experienced either as an audience member or practitioner that you treasure

- Details of how your practice is informed by your identity, as you feel comfortable

‍

Please submit documents as email attachments by April 12, 2021 to submissions@greenthumb.bc.ca with the subject line:

PLAYWRIGHTS’ GYM APPLICATION – your name

‍

Files should be labelled as follows: YOURNAME_CV, YOURNAME_SAMPLE, YOURNAME_STATEMENT

‍

If you have any questions pertaining to this posting, or require assistance with your application, please contact Georgia Beaty, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at submissions@greenthumb.bc.ca or by phone at 604-254-4055 (224). Please note that due to staff working in office on a limited basis due to COVID-19, voicemails are checked once per week.

‍

Green Thumb Theatre is actively seeking to dismantle inequity in the theatre sector, and is committed to furthering access and equity in our work. We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, and welcome members of those communities to self-identify as they feel comfortable. Green Thumb also recognizes that artists and contractors are informed by all facets of their identities. We welcome applicants to inform us of their pronouns if they wish, and to include details about how their identity informs their practice and needs as they feel comfortable.

‍

About Green Thumb Theatre:

Green Thumb Theatre is a force within the field of theatre for young audiences, not only in British Columbia, but across the country and throughout the world. Green Thumb Theatre creates, produces, and tours plays that explore social issues relevant to the lives of children, youth and young adults. We provide theatre that celebrates the language and stories of today’s generation and culture to stimulate empathy, debate and critical thinking.

‍

Green Thumb Theatre’s offices are located in the city currently known as “Vancouver”, on the traditional, unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh(Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

‍