IBPoC New Play Commission 2023 – Call for Proposals

In 2020, Persephone Theatre made a commitment to ensure our artistic programing and play development activities better serve, support, and centre the stories and creative needs of artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour (IBPoC). As part of this commitment, Persephone Theatre initiated a paid commission for IBPoC artists to create a new full-length production for our Main Stage.

As a company with a long history of commissioning and developing new Canadian plays, Persephone Theatre has cultivated a loyal audience base interested in new work. We are inviting IBPoC artists to submit proposals for the creation of new work, which will be part of our future season programming. We will work with the selected artist(s) to create a unique process of collaboration, which will empower the artist(s) to create this work on their terms. This commission comes with a commitment to produce.

What Persephone is Providing:

• $15,000 commission fee
• A premiere production in an upcoming Main Stage season
• A co-designed creation and development process from inception to premiere
• Ongoing dramaturgical and development support from Artistic Director Heather Cant, as well as other dramaturgs selected in consultation with the artist(s)
• Space, time, and financial support in the form of readings, workshops, consultations with other artists as requested or required

What we are looking for from your proposal:

• A brand-new idea or project, which has not been previously performed in any capacity
• A commitment to a long-term creation process and collaboration with Persephone Theatre

Who can apply:

• Creators who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Colour (IBPoC), who are current residents of and legally able to work in Canada.

Application Guidelines

• A single PDF (maximum of 5 pages) or Video (maximum of 10 minutes) addressing the following:
• Tell us about yourself
• Tell us who you are and about your artistic practice (you may choose to also attach a CV)
• Describe your artistic experiences (professional or non-professional, paid or unpaid).

Please also include any education or training experiences you feel are relevant or you would like us to know about.

Describe Your Project Idea:

• What story or idea are you exploring?
• Why is this a story you want to tell? Why here? Why now?
• Why are you drawn to tell this story through live theatre (as opposed to other mediums) and how do you imagine it being created?
• If you are able to and/or would like to, please include and describe your ideal process

Please do not include completed scripts in your proposal. We do not require reviews, references, photos or press clippings, and will request supplemental material only if it becomes necessary for the adjudication process. Please note the selection committee may also request conversations with short-listed artists to better understand their project and discuss the artist and/or the project’s particular needs.

Proposal Deadline:

Please use the form below to submit your proposal by February 1, 2023. Written submissions will be able to attach a PDF. For video submissions, please upload your video to Youtube or Vimeo and send only the link in your form submission. Please do not attach video files.

Need a different way to send your ideas in? Let us know!

If there is a potential barrier that might prevent you from being able to apply, we encourage you to let us know so we can work with you to dissolve it.

Questions about the commission or the application process can be emailed to Artistic Director Heather Cant at [email protected] or 306-284-2126 ext. 221.

Commission Selection Committee:

All proposals will be reviewed and the final selection will be made by a diverse committee comprised of theatre artists from across Canada and Persephone staff. All applicants will be notified when the selection is finalized, with an anticipated date of May 30, 2023.