Canadian Stage and the BMO Lab in Creative Research in the Arts, Performance, Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Toronto are partnering to host two paid professional artist residencies for the 2020/21 Season.
Salary will be jointly paid by Canadian Stage and the BMO Lab, with each recipient receiving a total of $10,000 (CAN).
About the BMO Lab Residency
The BMO Lab residency is a unique paid opportunity for two creative professional actors who will immerse themselves with the Lab’s technologies and research possibilities for application to live theatre performance. The aim of this residency is to provide the resident artists with access to an educational space experimenting in the application of technology to live performance, and to work deeply with students and educators on the practical creation of new experiments in performance. Through this residency, artists will gain valuable skills and knowledge to inform and support their existing artistic practice, while providing valuable insight for the students and course facilitators to the application of new technologies from their own experiences in the professional industry.
Expectations of Residency (October 2020-May 2021)
- In the fall, applicants will collaborate with Lab instructors. Applicants will be introduced to technologies and approaches that we are using in the Lab, and will participate in collaborative experimental exploration of the possibilities that these provide for theatre and performance.
- In the Winter / Spring, applicants will attend and participate in the DRA 3907H Course “Theatre and Emerging Technologies” (January 2021-April 2021, on Mondays 4 - 7 pm). See link here for Course Description.
- Participate and support course activities (serving as performer for student projects as needed).
- Read the assigned texts and participate in discussions.
- Attend rehearsals outside of classes on student-led projects as needed.
- Participate in the class final project as performers.
- Following the end of the course, complete a report and presentation of learnings, explorations and new discoveries to be presented at Canadian Stage’s Festival of Ideas and Creation in the spring of 2021 (date to be determined).
- NOTE: The primary location for the residency will be the BMO Lab, at 214 College Street (Koffler Student Services Building), room 320.
Eligibility
- Artist is based in Toronto.
- Artists have a demonstrated professional live performance practice with an emphasis on text work and movement (including Acting, Performance, Multidisciplinary work, Physical Performance, Multimedia Performance, Performance Art).
- Artists have a demonstrated interest in creation and collaboration.
- Artist may have a demonstrated interest in new technologies in their work, or are able to articulate how new technologies would serve their growing artistic practice.
Application Requirements
Deadline: September 4, 2020 at 11:59 pm
- A Letter of Interest (Max 2 pages) Questions to think about: What is your experience with, or interest in new technologies and live performance practice? What are research questions you hope to investigate through your time in the program? How will this experience add to your existing artistic practice?
- A resume or CV
*Please contact Mel Hague (Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage, if you have any questions about the program or require support on your application. This can include artistic questions or access needs.)
Only electronic applications will be accepted. Please fill out the form provided here, and upload any relevant documents.
Selection Process
All applications will be read by the selection committee, which includes Brendan Healy (Artistic Director, Canadian Stage), Mel Hague (Associate Artistic Director, Canadian Stage), Tawiah MCarthy (Intern Artistic Director, Canadian Stage), Pia Kleber (Professor, University of Toronto) David Rokeby (Director of the BMO Lab, University of Toronto).
Following the initial reading, a short list of candidates will be created. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with the selection committee. This will provide the opportunity for the candidate to ask any questions, and for the committee to meet the candidate to evaluate if they would be a good fit for this year’s program.
Accessibility
ASL support is not budgeted for this course.
Canadian Stage encourages submissions from all individuals. We are committed to the practice of inclusion and diversification. We will make every effort to identify and remove any barriers to inclusion within all aspects of the selection process by making decisions and communicating without regard to ethnicity, age, gender identity or expression, colour, disability, national origin, family or marital status, language, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other characteristics that make our communities and individuals unique. If you need any access support in filling out the form below, or have questions regarding this form, please contact Associate Artistic Director Mel Hague.
About the BMO Lab
An initiative of the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto, the BMO Lab is a transdisciplinary hub providing a home for collaborative creative research across the Arts and Sciences. Grounded in the Arts, it is driven by a special but non-exclusive focus on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The Lab recognizes theatre as a vital locus of integration among the arts and a point of entry to a foundational inquiry of human experience in the rapidly changing world resulting from these technologies. With this as its gravitational centre, all the activities in the Lab are firmly placed in human, social, and cultural space, committed to engagement with the broader public, and addressing the growing complexities of the lived world.
About Canadian Stage
Mission
Canadian Stage's mission is to be the leading contemporary performing arts organization in the country. A collision of disciplines and cultures, Canadian Stage reflects the dynamism and complexity of Canada and is a vital artistic force locally, nationally, and internationally.
Values
- Creativity: We inspire, cultivate, and advocate for the creativity that is inherent in all people.
- Empathy: We are a space for people to develop their understanding of themselves and the other.
- Excellence: We deliver exceptional experiences to our artists, audiences, donors, staff members, and volunteers.
- Collaboration: We encourage partnerships and exchange between artists, communities, art disciplines, sectors, and organizations.
- Inclusivity: We are inclusive in all aspects of our organization.
- Community: We take responsibility for how we contribute socially, economically, and educationally to our communities and we hold ourselves accountable to them.