Introducing Theatre SKAM’s Creators and Playwrights Unit
A new program providing 5 emerging artists (age 18-30) from underrepresented communities (IBPOC, Disabled/Differently-Abled, LGBTQIA2S+) a chance to work with industry professionals and develop new projects.
Who is it for?
This program supports emerging artists (aged 18-30) who are based in the Greater Victoria area and identify as IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and/or Person of Colour), Disabled/Differently-Abled (Disabled, Mad, d/Deaf, and/or Neurodivergent), and/or LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.
This pilot program will begin with five participants. You can apply either as an individual or as a group. Each participant will receive an honorarium of $200 and access to writing software called WritersDuet for the duration of the program.
The Creators and Playwrights Unit supports artists interested in refining their craft and taking advantage of the resources this program can offer to further their own growth as artists. Theatre SKAM hopes that each participant will leave the program empowered to present their work.
The Details
The Creators and Playwrights Unit will be led by Alexandra Lainfiesta (She/Her).
Alexandra is a multiple award winning actor, writer and educator. Most recently, she was selected as a recipient of the BC Lieutenant Governor General Arts and Music Award.
The Creators and Playwrights Unit will start May 7, 2023. The unit will run on the first Monday of every month from 1-4 PM until September 2023. In some weeks, the meeting dates will change (see FAQ below). Each meeting will be in-person in Victoria, BC at Theatre SKAM’s Studio 846 (846 Broughton Street).
The program culminates with a final presentation at the end of September during Theatre SKAM’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where each creator/playwright will showcase a short excerpt of their work.
For accessibility/accommodations or any other assistance, please contact Hannah Mariko Bell (She/Her) at hannahb@skam.ca or 250-386-7526.
Program Timeline
- Application Deadline: April 3, 2023 at 12 PM PST EXTENSION until April 6th at 12 PM.
- Application Responses: Week of April 15, 2023
- Monthly Sessions: May – September, 2023
- SKAM AGM Stage Reading: September 2023 (Exact date is TBD)
Submissions Information
- Fill out the application form here
Please email the following to community@skam.ca:
- An excerpt from previous work* (Maximum 10 pages – script, 2 pages – written description for non-traditional style projects.)
- An optional cover letter
- An optional resume/CV
*Please include your full name in the file name. PDF or Word are the best formats to send. Emails may be addressed to Ashley Chodat (She/Her), Program Developer.
Applications will open March 13, 2023 and close April 6, 2023. We will be releasing updates for applications via Facebook and Instagram. Follow us @TheatreSKAM to stay updated. Applicants will be contacted the week of April 15 – and each applicant will receive a response either way. Feedback is available upon request.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, submissions inquiries, or anything else please feel free to email community@skam.ca
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Theatre SKAM wouldn’t be able to make this new program possible without the support of the First People’s Cultural Council, the Community Gaming Grant and the British Columbia Multiculturalism Grant.
FAQ
Is there a cost to participate in the program?
Nope! This program will actually pay participants a $200 honourarium.
What will participants get out of the program?
Each participant will be given the resources to be able to grow as an artist and guidance of mentors to help further improve their projects as well as the opportunity to perform a 10 minute excerpt of their work at Theatre SKAM’s AGM in September.
What can I submit for my excerpt?
We accept any projects that are theatre-related in nature for example:
-
- Devised Theatre
- Circustry
- Improv
- Mime
- Musical
- Physical Theatre
- Puppetry
- Spoken-word
There are many art forms and styles of theatre and we’re looking for anything that’s made for a stage.
Right now we are not accepting film or tv scripts.
Where is it being held?
We will have each session take place in-person at Studio 846 located in the heart of downtown Victoria. (if you have any physical accessibility requirements please let us know on the application form)
When are the sessions?
The sessions will take place on these dates*:
- May 7, 2023: 1-4 PM
- June 5, 2023: 1-4 PM
- July 3, 2023: 1-4 PM
- August 14, 2023: 1-4 PM
- September 4, 2023: 1-4 PM
*Dates may be subject to change
Program Bios
Alexandra Lainfiesta (She/her) – Program Facilitator
Castor Angus (He/They) – Co-Program Developer
Castor is both Filipino and Nisga’a originally from a small rainy town in Northern BC called Prince Rupert but now he currently lives in Victoria.
He works as a writer, theatre maker and most recently in arts administration. Currently, Castor has received the Arts and Administrator and Internship and Mentorship grant through First People Cultural Society which has let him develop the Creators and Playwright unit alongside his friend, Ashley Chodat and his mentor, Hannah Bell.
He graduated from Vancouver Island University with Bachelors of Creative Writing and a diploma in Theatre. His play “Trying To Keep Up” was presented in the New Waves Festival in 2022. But his current project goes outside the realms of theatre and it’s an education book about Bears in Alaska that’ll be published next year.
Castor has only called Victoria his home since the summer of 2021. He’s grateful for the support and guidance he’s received working with Theatre SKAM, Belfry Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria and Victoria on Stage Musical Theatre.
Ashley Chodat (She/her) – Co-Program Developer
Ashley is a deviser, dramaturg, playwright and educator. In these roles, Ashley has been fortunate to work for companies across Canada like Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, The Cultch, Carousel Theatre for Young People, Little Mountain Lion, Theatre SKAM, Kaleidoscope and Arts Umbrella. She is particularly interested in stories that explore nostalgia, female joy and intergenerational relationships.
She holds a diploma in Theatre Performance from Douglas College and is completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Theatre at Uvic. Recently, her play June Bug won the inaugral TYP Family Forward Award at Vancouver Fringe Festival. Upcoming, Ashley will be associate instructing Playwriting 102 at The Arts Club and collaborating with Playwright’s Theatre Centre as a dramaturge in their Block D cohort.
Hannah Mariko Bell (She/Her), Co-Program Developer