Theatre

The Citadel Theatre is excited to announce a call for Participants for our Playwrights Lab 2025 – 2026. This season long program focuses on Edmonton and Alberta playwrights writing Large Scale Productions suitable for the two Mainstage spaces at the Citadel: the Shoctor and the MacLab Theatres.

After two years of focusing on theatrical adaptations, this upcoming season, we would like to welcome original plays and musicals.

Our work is inclusive, reflecting the diversity of our communities and featuring a breadth of new stories, voices, and perspectives. We support innovative new plays that will excite both the artists that work on them and the audiences who take them in. Our vision is international, while retaining an emphasis on Edmonton and Alberta-based artists and stories – placing them in the international spotlight.

THE PROGRAM

The Citadel Theatre offers a Lab-style program to support four playwrights, as they build a new full-length play or book for a musical project, suitable for production on one of the Citadel’s Mainstage spaces. Writers will meet regularly as a group, led by Associate Artistic Director Mieko Ouchi, culminating in readings of the four plays or portions of the four plays with professional actors at the 2026 Collider Festival.

This program will take place from September 2025 to June 2026 through in person meetings throughout the year. Participants will be paid a $3000 honorarium.

APPLICATIONS

We invite applications from Edmonton and Alberta playwrights who have already completed at least two full length plays (1 hour long minimum each), and who would like to work on a new Large Scale play over the 2025 – 2026 Season. While we encourage people of all ages to apply, this program is not built to support writers at the beginning of their writing journey. Applications should be a maximum of four pages, and should include:

• A biography or résumé;
• A letter outlining the applicant’s specific interest in the Lab and why this program and our spaces feel like a good fit for the project you are proposing to work on. This letter must include a 300-500 word project description for your new play idea.
• A rough schedule/sense of the applicant’s availability throughout the year and for the 2026 Collider Festival dates – June 5 to 7, 2026
• Any access needs required for participation.

See full details here: https://citadeltheatre.com/artists/play-development/the-lab/7825-2/

EQUITY DIVERSITY INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY

We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home of the First Nations, including both the treaty signatories – Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis, who occupied this land. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.

The Citadel Theatre is in the heart of amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, AB), and we are proud to call Treaty 6 Territory home. As a regional theatre, it is integral that we ensure that the stories we tell, as well as the composition of our artists, board, staff, students and audience are reflective of the diverse lived experiences in this dynamic city.

For more on Citadel Theatre’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility work, including our 35//50 commitment, statements of support, annual diversity reports, CAEA Declared Actions Regarding Anti-Oppression and Inclusion, and other information, please visit our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility page.

SAFE WORKPLACE CULTURE

Citadel Theatre commits to providing a welcoming and safe experience for all artists, including clear workplace harassment policies. In situations where cultural safety and knowledge is needed as part of facilitating conversation, Citadel commits to working with third-party affinity counsel.

SUBMISSION

Citadel Theatre is accepting applications for the Playwrights Lab until September 5, 2025. Please submit up to four pages (PDF format) to: mouchi@citadeltheatre.com Subject: Playwrights Lab. The Citadel Theatre strongly encourage submissions from performers who self-identify as members from under-represented communities. If there are barriers (language, disability, or any other consideration) about the process preventing you from submitting, please let us know and we will work with you to overcome them.

SELECTION

Artists will be selected by a panel of Citadel Theatre staff, including:

• Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director
• Mieko Ouchi, Associate Artistic Director
• Kristi Hansen, EDIA Committee Co-Chair

All applicants will be informed of results via email by mid-September 2025.

The Citadel Theatre is excited to announce a call for submissions for our Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program, thanks to the incredible support of the RBC Foundation. This professional development program has been developed to support artists as they develop their skills, particularly in large scale Mainstage work. 

THE PROGRAM
With the support of the RBC Foundation, Citadel Theatre offers a training program to support emerging and early career artists that have not been able to see themselves in these artistic creation roles at one of Canada’s largest theatre companies. While the application is open to anyone who identifies as an Emerging Artist in their practice, we will prioritize under-represented communities such as BIPOC, D/deaf, D/disabled, MAD and LGBTQ2S+ artists. We want to eliminate barriers by giving five Edmonton-based artists direct access to our creation spaces and team of professionals, and to help them make contacts within our industry in their chosen practice. The program is supported by the Citadel’s Producer, Bridget Norris-Jones and Artistic Director, Daryl Cloran.   

This year we will specifically place five mentees in the roles of Assistant Director, Assistant Designer, Assistant Choreographer, and Assistant Music Director for our Mainstage Productions of The Wizard of Oz and Cyrano de Bergerac. Please refer to the additional information on each production and the corresponding mentorship opportunities: www.citadeltheatre.com/submissions-mainstage-emerging-artists-mentorship-program/

Opportunities will include: 

• 1-on-1 mentorship with a professional mentor on a large-scale production 
• Participation in pre-rehearsal meetings and planning (design/production meetings, etc.) 
• Observing/Participating in rehearsals, technical rehearsals and previews 
• Overseeing the rehearsal and preparation of understudies and youth performers (as applicable) 
• Tours of the Citadel facilities and conversations with Citadel staff throughout the season 
• Invitations to opening nights 
• Artist profile on the Citadel Theatre website with amplification on our social media feeds 

Participants will also receive: 

• A $4000 honorarium 
• An artist profile on The Citadel Theatre website with amplification on our social media feeds 
• Support for access needs they may require 

In 2025/26, we are providing five Assistant opportunities through the Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program. Please view the available mentorship opportunities here: www.citadeltheatre.com/submissions-mainstage-emerging-artists-mentorship-program/

PROPOSALS 
We invite applications from artists who would like to explore and build their professional skills in their specific artistic discipline. We are looking for applicants who are based in Edmonton, and who have experience working on multiple full-length plays or musicals, have demonstrated skill in their specific discipline and who are looking to build even more sophisticated tools. Students who are currently enrolled in and attending High School or Post Secondary programs are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be available during daytime hours Tuesday to Sunday.  

Previous participants in the Emerging Artist or Assistant Director programs are welcome to apply again but should identify what new skills they hope to acquire from this assistantship and why this opportunity will be different from the past one. 

As one of the largest cultural organizations in Alberta, Citadel Theatre commits to dismantling the systemic racism in Canadian theatre practice. This includes making space for those that have not been given the opportunity to create and thrive in rehearsal halls and theatres across the country. We also strive to provide an opportunity for emerging, early career and even established artists to make the leap from smaller independent projects to learning the skills required to lead large productions at a regional theatre. 

Proposals should be a maximum of four pages, and should include: 

• A biography or resumé; 
• A letter outlining: 
  • Which position the applicant would like to be considered for and why; 
  • Practical skills the applicant hopes to learn, build upon and augment during the production (keep in mind each opportunity is unique); 
  • Areas and topics that the applicant hopes to build knowledge in from mentorship; 
  • Skills the applicant can bring to the production; 
  • Why this program is a good fit for you at this point in your career; 
  • A rough schedule/sense of the applicant’s availability.

SUBMISSION 
Citadel Theatre is accepting proposals for the Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program until Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Please submit a proposal of up to four pages (PDF format) to: bnorrisjones@citadeltheatre.com with the Subject line: "Mainstage Emerging Artist Mentorship Program."

SELECTION 
Artists will be selected by a panel of Citadel Theatre staff, including: 

• Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director 
• Bridget Norris-Jones, Producer 
• Mieko Ouchi, Associate Artistic Director 
• In consultation with each of the Mentors (Directors, Choreographer, Music Director, Designers) 

All applicants will be informed of results via email no later than Tuesday September 23, 2025.

Please view full program and proposal submission details here: www.citadeltheatre.com/submissions-mainstage-emerging-artists-mentorship-program/

Behind every postcard is a story of struggle and survival.

Beyond the Postcard reveals Cuba’s untold truths—its humor, pain, and resilience—through Afro-Cuban Canadian artist Hebert Poll Gutiérrez. Experience film, puppetry, poetry, and animation in this urgent 60-minute live show. Hosted by Adania Reyes with Ameli Pereira, Samuel Kugbiyi & Sara-Maya Kaba.

“This isn’t just Cuban history—it’s human history. And it’s urgent.”
Listen. Stand with us. Act.

Don’t miss this powerful journey—secure your tickets now and be part of a story that demands to be heard!

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 7 to 9 pm
Where: SpanicArts Calgary
131 6 Ave SW
Calgary, AB

Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-postcard-cubas-untold-stories-tickets-1555104943749?aff=oddtdtcreator

PUPPET POWER 2025

October 18-19, 2025
In-person held at Calgary's Centre for Newcomers

INSPIRE, INFORM, GALVANIZE

Puppet Power 2025 (PP25) will delve into the complex subject of immigration, offering a creative and innovative perspective through the lens of puppetry.

WP Puppet Theatre is excited to share the amazing work being done by puppeteers from around the world, showcasing empathetic approaches, impactful interventions and inspiration as well as the challenges, failures and recoveries. Their three key goals are:

• To raise awareness of the many interconnected forces that shape global and local immigration
• To provide a platform for newcomers and those working in immigrant-serving organizations to share their personal stories
• To offer practical and inspiring methodologies for impactful interventions using applied puppetry practices.

The two-day hybrid event will feature: 

• Four live-streamed watch parties + quick puppet making activities
• A vibrant community-building evening event + dinner + professional puppet performance
• A puppet-infused Rapid Ideation session for Calgary social agencies working with immigrants
• In-person master puppet making workshops
• Post conference recordings and resources
• Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.

PP25, the 13th iteration of WP Puppet Theatre’s signature festival, is designed as a call to action and professional development for adults, students, teachers, social workers and ‘helping professionals’ who are seeking mentoring and training in using puppetry in applied settings. 

With Calgary hospitality the friendly event also supports mental health and wellness through creativity, self-realization and connection.

For more information and to register for this event, please visit their website.