The MBA for Lefty, Anti-Capitalist Theatre Artists: staging the next act of your theatre career with Tetsuro Shigematsu

You’re a mid-career theatre artist, and you’ve found your voice, you have done some things.

People know who you are. But thanks to the pandemic, maybe you’re thinking about quitting the game. But there is another option. Taking your work to the next level. Not artistically, but professionally: bigger grants, more sustainable side-hustles, better press coverage, and exporting your work out of Montreal. This is a hands-on workshop for anyone who is thinking not just about their next play, but leveling up their career. Learn the tools that can keep you in the game, without losing your Marxist soul.

Participants will be encouraged to share the following for discussion within the group: a draft of a grant proposal you’re working on, an unsuccessful past grant application, or a project you are currently working on. Please note that this is not mandatory. 

The workshop is open to a broadly inclusive definition of “mid-career” artists. There’s no requirement on the number of years worked, or projects produced. Participants should have a body of work and be committed to their practice, having established a sense of their art form and voice. This workshop is not intended for recent graduates from an artistic training or BFA program.

Applications, or questions, can be sent to helena@playwrights.ca with the subject line: Exploring Practice with Tetsuro Shigematsu. Audio and video applications are also welcomed. 

Please attach a letter of interest, as a PDF OR 1 link to an audio or video application, which includes:

1. Why you are interested in this workshop and what you hope to learn from it

2. A brief artistic biography

3. A short description of a project you’re currently working towards, developing, or looking to produce. You are also welcome to share visual aspects (photos, artwork, etc) of this project. If you are not currently working on a project, what are you hoping to work towards in the future? 

4. Whether you would be willing to share a grant proposal or current project with the group. This answer will not affect your selection for participation, but will be used to help plan the hands-on aspect of the workshop. 

Apply before March 17, 2023, at 11:59 PM

PWM is committed to creating an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.  We are continuously working to make all of our programs accessible and inclusive. While recognizing that the identity of each person is fundamentally plural, and multidimensional, we strongly encourage applications from artists who are: Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), Black, POC, racialized (including recent immigrants), 2SLGBTQQIPAA+, neurodivergent, disabled, living with chronic illness and/or chronic pain. PWM is strongly committed to supporting a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences, therefore we encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they are comfortable doing so.

Participation is free. Workshop participants are selected based on the complementary experience of the collective group. We encourage all levels of experience to apply.