Mentorships

Persephone Theatre’s Stage Management Mentorship Program provides on-the-job skill development and training for Saskatchewan artists working towards a career in stage management. This program is an excellent fit for individuals with some previous experience or training in small venues, that are looking to refine their skills to be suitable for large scale theatres and performance, or who are interested in becoming a Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA) Stage Manager.

Persephone Theatre invites a stage management apprentice on to the team for each in-house production on the Main Stage. For the 2025-2026 Season, we have five positions available.

Apprentices will receive:

• Direct mentorship from the Stage Manager, with support from the Production Manager;
• Experience working with Persephone’s collective agreements with IATSE and CAEA;
• Involvement in all aspects of the creative process, including rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and production meetings;
• An apprentice credit registered with CAEA;
• A weekly salary, commensurate with Saskatchewan’s employment policies and the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA).

To be considered for a placement, please send a letter of interest along with a resume to Artistic Director Heather Cant at [email protected]. Applicants should outline their previous experience, skills they are looking to grow, and why they feel this program is a good fit for their current career trajectory. Placements are usually assigned in early spring for the coming season, though we accept letters of interest at any time.

We prioritize a workplace that centres equity, inclusion, and authentic representation. We strongly encourage submissions from artists who self-identify as members of historically excluded communities, which includes (but is not limited to) those who identify as IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, or who have a disability or chronic illness. If there is a potential barrier that might prevent you from applying, please let us know so we can work with you to dissolve it. If you have questions, please reach out to Artistic Director Heather Cant at [email protected].

Heather Cant Email Heather

The Arts Leadership Training Program, co-led by The Belfry Theatre, Persephone Theatre and the University of Regina, Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, is in its fourth iteration.

Persephone Theatre has partnered with performing arts groups and educational institutions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario for Phase 4 of this program, designed to provide access and training for artists and arts administrators who identify as Indigenous, Black and/or People of Colour (IBPoC). This stream will focus solely on arts administration.

The Arts Leadership Training Program is a collaboration between the following organizations:
Arts Club Theatre Company (Vancouver, BC); Belfry Theatre (Victoria, BC); Electric Company Theatre (Vancouver, BC); Globe Theatre (Regina, SK); Green Thumb Theatre (Vancouver, BC); National Arts Centre (NAC) (Ottawa, ON); Neworld Theatre (Vancouver, BC); Pacific Opera Victoria (Victoria, BC); Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK); Prairie Theatre Exchange (Winnipeg, MB); Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, University of Regina (Regina, SK); University of Victoria (Victoria, BC); Theatre Calgary (Calgary, AB); Vancouver Opera (Vancouver, BC); and Victoria Symphony (Victoria, BC).

As arts organizations and educational institutions, we acknowledge the colonial and oppressive system that we have inherited and continue to perpetuate. We constantly question ourselves: How can we presume to teach IBPoC participants when we have inherited a colonial legacy, and are trying to put down old tools and pick up new ones?

We opened the doors of our institutions, with humility and ethical intentions, to create a safe and healthy environment in which to share institutional knowledge, together with the wisdom and experience of leading members of the national IBPoC arts community.

By inviting recognized arts leaders from IBPoC communities to share their wisdom and experience, we were able to create a safe and informative program that spoke directly to the participant’s needs.

“As an IBPOC artist, I find this collaboration genuine and meaningful. The senior management of these organizations have come to the table to ask difficult questions about the current state of the art.  They are hoping to develop a path towards an arts and culture sector that is deliberately inclusive,” says Taiwo Afolabi, Assistant Professor at the University of Regina, and Co-Coordinator of this project with the Belfry Theatre and Persephone Theatre.

The Arts Leadership Training Program is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts

Five participants will be part of a unique training opportunity.

The Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre through the University of Regina (C-SET), Persephone Theatre, and the Belfry Theatre are co-leading the fourth phase of the Arts Leadership Training Program and are excited to announce five participants for 2025: Francis Matheu of Victoria, B.C.; Micah Jondel DeShazer of Ottawa, Ont.; Marcel Stewart of Hamilton, Ont.; Dominique Ireland of Southwold, Ont.; and Nicole Malcolm of Victoria, B.C.

“As the resources shrink, training and professional development become even more critical to the Canadian arts community, and it is incumbent on us to invest wisely in our emerging leaders; the ALTP participants this year are dedicated, inspiring, and ready to make the most of the opportunities offered them. We are thrilled to support their growth,” committee member and seminar leader Yvette Nolan said.

The Arts Leadership Training Program partnered with performing and visual arts groups and educational institutions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario for Phase 4 of this program, designed to provide access and training for artists and arts administrators who identify as Indigenous, Black and/or People of Colour (IBPoC).

“The Arts Leadership Training Program is integral to the heath of the sector, and Persephone is thrilled to once again be partnering with the Belfry and C-SET to facilitate this national program, and welcoming five new emerging leaders from across Canada,” said Breanne Harmon, Executive Director of Persephone Theatre.

“The program fills a sectoral gap, and aims to create access, remove barriers, and train the next generation of artistic and administrative leaders, while allowing the institutions that participate to learn and grow,” said Taiwo Afolabi, Director of Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre.

The Program will be designed collaboratively, assembling the program components based on the stated interests of those participating, with a focus on artistic practice. It will launch in September 2025.

Bios and photos for the participants can be found HERE. 

Breanne Harmon Email Breanne 306-384-2126 ext. 223

• Assistant Director Kristie Elliott
• Apprentice Lighting Designer Ian Kimpton
• Apprentice Stage Manager Katie Blackburn-Dust

• Apprentice Stage Manager Shelby Lyn Lowe

• Assistant Director Grahame Kent
• Apprentice Set Designer Cody Brayshaw
• Apprentice Stage Manager Sam Fairweather

• Assistant Director Laura Negraeff
• Apprentice Stage Manager Lauren Griffin

• Assistant Director Mara Teare
• Apprentice Set Designer Brooklynn Bitner
• Apprentice Stage Manager Ryan MacAuley

• Assistant Director & Apprentice Intimacy Director Rachel Walliser
• Apprentice Designer Conor Farrell

• Assistant Director Ezra Forrest
• Apprentice Designer Katie Blackburn-Dust
• Stage Management Shadow Luke Kelly

• Assistant Director Johanna Arnott
• Design Apprentice Kie Tanaka

• Assistant Director Drew Mantyka
• Design Apprentice Katie Blackburn-Dust

• Director Angela Kemp (RBC Emerging Artist)

• Set and properties designer Jensine Emeline
• Costume designer Nicole Zalesak

• Costume and projections designer Taegan O’Bertos
• Assistant set designer Jensine Emeline (RBC Emerging Artist)
• Assistant director Katey Wattam (supported by the Canada Council)

• Our workshop and showcase of this new musical was a part of our mentorship support for composer Clinton Ackerman.
  We have also been supporting Clinton’s collaborators, Nathan Howe and Andrew Taylor, on the development of the book and lyrics.

• Assistant director Bradley Charles (supported by Theatre North West)
• Apprentice assistant stage manager Jalisa Gonie

• Actors Jalisa Gonie and Garrett Gizen

• Actors Connor Brousseau and Amanda Trapp
• Set designer Taegan O’Bertos

• Actor Ben Thomas; apprentice musical director Clinton Ackerman (RBC Emerging Artist)
• Apprentice assistant stage manager Mackenzie Dawson