2020-2021 AMPLIFIER: a fully supported exploratory creation process for playwrights

The deadline to apply to this program has passed!
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We are thrilled to announce that Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM), LA SERRE–arts vivants (LA SERRE) and the Conseil des Arts de Montréal (CAM) are launching a new program offering comprehensive dramaturgical and artistic support to a professional playwright residing on the island of Montreal. This includes dramaturgical consultation, creation workshop, a creation production residency, followed by a laboratory presentation.

The following playwrights are eligible to submit proposals: Indigenous artists (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), 1^st or 2^nd generation immigrant artists from a culturally diverse community*, or racialized artists.
Board Members of CAM, PWM and La Serre are not eligible to apply.

*As defined in the Conseil des Arts de Montréal’s glossary

In order to support artists writing in French and artists writing in English, this program is being offered alternately by the Centre des auteurs dramatiques (CEAD) in French one year, and by PWM in English every other year. This edition is intended for artists creating in the English language.

THE GOALS

The program aims to highlight the artistic and social contributions of theatre artists from culturally diverse, indigenous, or racialized communities working creatively in one of Canada’s official languages.

Additionally, it seeks to foster dialogue between Montréal’s English- and French-speaking theatre communities, as well as intercultural exchanges and greater representation from culturally diverse artists within the theatre community and on Montreal stages.

Refer to the Program Presentation (PDF) for more details about what this partnership includes, eligibility criteria and other conditions.

THE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes excellence in the professional creation, production and dissemination of the arts.

To remain in tune with the organizations and collectives it serves, the Conseil relies on its knowledge of the communities, its innovative skills, and its ability to bring the city’s artists and financial partners together.

PLAYWRIGHTS’ WORKSHOP MONTRÉAL 

PWM is a national new creation centre for theatre and performance led by a team of dramaturgs and arts administrators. While playwriting has been at the core of what we do for over 50 years, our work now strives to include devised and interdisciplinary forms of creation. In addition to seeking collaborations across diverse artistic practices, we are strongly committed to supporting work which reflects a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences. 

What is dramaturgy and what do we do?

Dramaturgy is an exploration of all the elements that make a work, how they are brought together to create meaning, and what the process for developing that work might be. PWM primarily works on projects that centre text and narrative but also on pieces where text and storytelling are not the primary components or concerns.

PWM’s work centres around the artist and our dynamic collaborative process is tailored to meet the needs of their project. We listen deeply to understand who an artist is, what they are making and how they want their work to evolve. We offer feedback and reflection through questions and conversation and often accompany the artists from draft to draft or iteration to iteration. We work one-on-one, but also through workshops and residencies.

For us, dramaturgy must also consider the reverberations/implications of a piece of performance through time and space, and beyond the room/page in/on which it is being created. 

LA SERRE–ARTS VIVANTS

LA SERRE is a structuring incubator for the improvement of the conditions under which emerging artists carry out their work in live art. It accompanies them in the expansion of their work, from the creation process to encounters with the public. It helps artists develop their autonomy, organizational maturity and artistic independence. LA SERRE acts as an activator of collaborations between artists and local, national and international partners, as well as artists from various artistic disciplines and other areas. Artistically, LA SERRE favors projects that establish evocative links between art and society, and facilitate connections between different disciplinary fields and sectors.

SUPPORT PROVIDED

The recipient of the program will receive a project creation grant of $13,000 by the CAM over two years, along with numerous services provided by PWM, LA SERRE, et CAM. This is a one-time, non-renewable grant.

The program takes place over two years, and support is provided as follows:

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please complete the online application form. Refer to the Program Presentation (PDF) for all details about this partnership. During the application process, you will be asked to include the following documents:

• An excerpt of a previously written theatrical work in English (10 pages maximum, PDF or DOC);
• An excerpt of the project (10 pages maximum, PDF or DOC);
• The author’s CV (PDF or DOC)

Only the required documents will be forwarded to members of the evaluation committee.

Applications will be evaluated by representatives of the CAM, PWM and La Serre. Projects will be evaluated based on merit, and the selection will take the projects’ comparative value into consideration. The evaluation committee will take into consideration diversity of practice, artists’ experience, accessibility needs, 2SLGBTQQIPAA+, and gender parity.

The deadline to submit applications is November 1, 2020 at 11:59PM. All applicants will be notified of the results by December 10, 2020. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your application or your project, do not hesitate to contact us. We prefer to have the opportunity to discuss hybrid theatrical forms, unusual professional backgrounds and multiple ethnocultural affiliations with applicants.

Please address questions to Emma Tibaldo, Executive and Artistic Director of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, at emma@playwrights.ca.