Write From The Hip Submissions
Call for Submissions: 2021-22 Write From The Hip Program
Write From The Hip is a year-long script development program designed to support self-identifying emerging playwrights through mentorship, participation in a playwright’s unit, and one-on-one dramaturgy. Participants work towards the completion of a full-length play that culminates in a public reading with professional actors and a director as part of our Groundswell Festival. We are looking for women* (* including, but not limited to trans, cis), Two-Spirit, non-binary, and gender diverse playwrights who are emerging in craft. There is no age limit and playwrights may apply with a script at any stage in development. Participants will receive a $1,000 honorarium.
Please note: We accept applications from all regions. If you are accepted into our WFTH unit, we do ask that individuals attend the culminating day long workshop and public presentation as part of our Groundswell Festival. Meetings throughout the year will be attended using Zoom technology and possibly in person (public health measures permitting) in 2022.
Nightwood is committed to creating spaces that are trans inclusive and that recognize a multitude of intersectional identities, which include race, ability, sexual orientation, age, and gender identity among others.
In addition to our script submission process detailed below, we hold a round of interviews with select applicants the week of June 21, 2021. This interview phase is an opportunity for artists to introduce themselves and their proposed script in whatever way best represents them.
If you are granted an interview, it is a conversation to discover if there’s a match between what the WFTH program can offer you as a writer, what your play needs in terms of development, as well as who you are as an artist and why you want to be a part of the WFTH program. Applicants who have applied (but not participated) in prior years are welcome to apply, but only with a new project.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET. There is no submission fee for this program.
In order to be considered for an interview your package must include the following:
- The completion of the online Google Form.
- Choose Option 1 or 2:
- 1. A 10 page maximum PDF that includes: A one page letter outlining your background as an emerging artist, how you feel you/your project would benefit from WFTH, and a brief synopsis of your play, PLUS your script/writing sample (max 9 pages). Please note that the writing sample is a way for the selection committee to start to get to know your voice and writing style. It can be from any of your work(s) and does not necessarily have to be from the project you would like to pursue in the unit.
- Your application must be submitted as a single PDF document, saved in the following title format: “Last Name_Title of Play”. Please submit your PDF application to: submissions@nightwoodtheatre.net
- 2. A video application – maximum 10 minutes: Your video should outline your background as an emerging artist, how you feel you/your project would benefit from WFTH, and a brief synopsis and sample of your project.
- Please rename your video submission file to read “Last Name_Title of Play” and upload to our Google Drive via this link.
- 1. A 10 page maximum PDF that includes: A one page letter outlining your background as an emerging artist, how you feel you/your project would benefit from WFTH, and a brief synopsis of your play, PLUS your script/writing sample (max 9 pages). Please note that the writing sample is a way for the selection committee to start to get to know your voice and writing style. It can be from any of your work(s) and does not necessarily have to be from the project you would like to pursue in the unit.
For more info or to access further supports please contact Naz Afsahi, Artistic Associate and Business Manager: For more info or to access further supports please contact Naz Afsahi, Artistic Associate and Business Manager: naz@nightwoodtheatre.net
Program Support Provided By The RBC Foundation
Nightwood Innovators Submissions
Call for Submissions: 2021-22 The Nightwood Innovators program (formally the Young Innovators)
Build community and collaborate with the next generation of leaders in Canada’s theatre industry. The Nightwood Innovators program (formally the Young Innovators) is now open to emerging and/or new generation artists aged 18+, and delivers digital and in-person meet-ups to equip participants with the building blocks involved in running a theatre company and creating work on their own terms. Whether a Nightwood Innovator joins us as a born administrator, stage manager, designer, director, actor, playwright or production manager (or beyond), we aim to deepen their understanding of each dimension of professional theatre, opening them up to new complementary facets of their practice. Nightwood Innovators are given the unique opportunity to forge connections with one another in a pivotal time in their careers, and ignite a lasting personal and professional relationship with Nightwood Theatre.
We accept applications from theatre practitioners (directors, actors, designers, technicians, stage managers, arts managers, dramaturges, production managers, etc.) who are 18+ and self-identify as emerging. The program will run from September 2021 to the end of April 2022.
Please note, the deadline to apply is September 1st at 11:59 pm ET and applicants will be notified of final decisions by the week of September 13th.
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Access to Nightwood’s digital and live programming
- Numerous workshops by Nightwood staff on marketing, fundraising, grant writing, networking, directing/dramaturgy, artist health, and more
- Programming and producing experience as the Nightwood Innovators curate and produce Fempocalypse, a fundraising event to benefit a charity chosen by the cohort
- Observing a Write from the Hip new play development workshop before it’s publicly shared at the Groundswell Festival
- Regular gathering points for socializing, connecting to future collaborators, and developing systems of support.
- Invites to first day table reads and opening nights/dress rehearsals*
- Access to Nightwood staff for consultation
- A one-on-one session with Artistic Director Andrea Donaldson
- A short, one-on-one dramaturgical feedback session with a Nightwood community member (intended for participants who have a work in progress)
- A $500 honourarium for participation
*As possible given COVID-19
To apply, please fill out the below Google Form and submit your resumé via https://wetransfer.com to amanda@nightwoodtheatre.net.
If you would like to view the application questions prior to filling out the form, click here for a preview copy of the application (please note this is just for reference).
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION
Please note, the deadline to apply is September 1st at 11:59 pm ET and applicants will be notified of final decisions by the week of September 13th.
Program Support Provided By TD The Ready Commitment
Play Submissions
Dear Theatre Creators,
We so appreciate all that you do and all of the necessary reach outs you make to companies in hopes of your work being seen and produced. We want to get to know you and your efforts are recognized and valued.
In order to do our best as an organization, with an emphasis on thriving while working within our means, we have articulated a process for unsolicited scripts that we hope will enable continued introductions and access, while acknowledging our limits.
If you feel your work fits our mandate, the best way to ignite or continue a relationship with Nightwood is to submit your project/play through one of three processes:
- Apply to our spring deadline for Write From The Hip. Please join us at Groundswell, our annual Festival of new works for the readings of these exceptional new works.
- Apply for OAC RGTC (Recommenders Grants for Theatre Creators) in the fall.
- Reach out to Andrea at andrea@nightwoodtheatre.net with a one-page letter that details who you are, what you’re writing about, and where your project is at, and include a five-page excerpt of your play.
If your piece strikes our interest, we will ask to be kept abreast of its developments. If your voice strikes our interest, we will ask to be kept abreast your future works.
Keep doing what you’re doing. Plays need theatres and theatres need plays.
Fondly,
Andrea