Playwrights Theatre Centre is searching for mid-career and established playwrights proposing their most ambitious work to date for our Associates program. The program is specifically pointed at work of a scale and depth that couldn’t be completed without PTC’s support.

The Associates is a three-year partnership, where each playwright works in collaboration with a dedicated dramaturg, as well as offering each other collegial insights and support. The unique length and depth of the program allows the playwright to manage the trajectory of their play with committed and long-term dramaturgical, administrative, and communication support from PTC. The program also provides:

• A $7,500 stipend, plus paid workshops and residencies 
• Support with personal grant applications and funding strategy 
• Assistance with development of community relationships, networks, and partnerships
• Studio time to facilitate experimentation and the pursuit of what is most meaningful to the playwright
• A cohort of theatre makers developing their networks, creative practices, and projects in conversation with each other
• A series of on-site residencies, to provide concentrated and undisturbed work time in a supported creative environment
• Other dramaturgical supports can include, but are not limited to: process design, digital and technical experience and support, and opportunities to present their work in progress in programs like Unscripted. 

By the end of the third year, each of the Associates’ projects will have a production ready draft or project package, in partnership with their dramaturg and collaborating artists. 

The deadline to apply for the program is October 7, 2024.  

To learn more about the current cohort, visit our Associates Page.

Associates 2021-2024: Mily Mumford, Kamila Sediego and José Teodoro

Associates 2017-2020: Kendra Fanconi, Tetsuro Shigematsu, Veronique West, and Leanna Brodie and Jovanni Sy 

Associates 2013-2016: Carmen Aguirre, Elaine Avila, Dave Deveau, Hiro Kanagawa, Quelemia Sparrow,  Adrienne Wong 

Associates 2010-2013: Tim Carlson, JD Derbyshire, Jenn Griffin, Jordan Hall, Lisa C. Ravensbergen,  Jeremy Waller 

Who should apply:
Experienced and mid-career writers with a specific project in mind, an idea that requires the long-term support of the Associates.

PTC is based in on the traditional, unceded, stolen and occupied territories of the  xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and offers the Associates program to artists who can work in person with us here in Vancouver. 

Artists who are based in multiple locations that include Vancouver may apply, but there is no travel or accommodation support as part of this program. Participants must be eligible to work in Canada. 

Playwrights Theatre Centre is continuously working to make all our programs accessible. We encourage writers with a lived experience of disability to apply for all of our programs. We are also an equity-seeking company, with a history of working with artists from numerous communities. We are dedicated to creating spaces within which Indigenous, Black, racialized artists, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with intersectional identity perspectives can lead and create. Flexible timing and location, virtual sessions, attention to time of day and duration of work, and flexible stipend plans can all be designed with the artist to maximize creative satisfaction. 

We welcome all applicants to become members of PTC. Memberships are $25, or free if cost is a barrier. To become a member, go to: https://www.playwrightstheatre.com/about-us/become-a-member/

The Associates is led by PTC dramaturg Joanna Garfinkel, and each of the participating playwrights will be matched with a dramaturg to work with for the duration of the three year program. 

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APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1. A letter detailing: 

• What are your most compelling questions right now as a playwright? 
• What are you currently seeking to move your practice and project ahead?
• What cohort/peer collaborations and conversations are you interested in forging?
• What current and ongoing commitments and obligations do you have? 
• What obstacles are currently in between you and your goals?

2. A pitch detailing your specific project: A short (500 word) description of the idea that you want to focus on during the Associates program. Include any co-producing relationships, community or peer collaborations in place, or previous development history if applicable. The Associates is not seeking finished work.

Commissions from or for other companies are not eligible. 

3. A recent, completed, full-length play as an example of your work, including production and  development history if relevant.  

4. Your theatre resume/CV

5. If there is any other context or content that you would like to provide, please include it in the format that makes sense to you. Contact Joanna directly if you require support with files or formats, joanna@playwrightstheatre.com

Please combine all materials into one PDF, and name it with your name and Associates in the title (“KSediegoAssociates”) and email to joanna@playwrightstheatre.com, including “Associates Application” in the subject line.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 7, 2024

If you prefer an alternative means of applying, please contact joanna@playwrightstheatre.com

Results will be announced by December 15, 2024