Calling all emerging playwrights and theatre creators: The 2025-2026 Young Creators’ Unit is now accepting applications!
Offering emerging creators innovative workshops that focus on creation, dramaturgy, and professional development, applications for the 11th edition of the Young Creators Unit program are now open!
Application deadline: Sunday, July 6, 2025, 11:59PM EST.
All applicants will receive a response by September 6, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, require assistance with this application, or would like to discuss alternative methods of applying, please contact accessibility@playwrights.ca.
“The Young Creators Unit was a perfect mixture of collective growth, individual exploration, and process. Through the various workshops and different approaches given to us to tackle the page, I now have the embers of my writer’s process, made connections with new theatre practitioners, and took my idea to a nearly-completed draft. If you are seeking the time and the place to discover how you write, while being supported by Montreal Theatre Community, this is the program for you.”
— Olaoluwa Fayokun (’25)
About the Young Creators Unit
Are you a theatre maker under 30, looking to hone your craft in storytelling? Do you have a brilliant idea for a play, but are not sure how to get it on paper? Or maybe you need feedback and guidance to elevate your first draft to the next level?
If any of this sounds like you, then PWM’s Young Creators Unit is the place to develop your craft. This creative incubator supports emerging artists to find their voice, make connections, and learn new storytelling skills, all while developing the practical skills they need to establish a successful career in the arts. All you need to apply is an idea, a question, theme, or an image you’d like to explore.
The YCU will once again be led by PWM’s Artistic Producer & YCU Dramaturg, Leila Ghaemi. From September 2025 -June 2026, participants will receive one-on-one dramaturgical sessions with Leila, mentorships with industry professionals, and group writing sessions and workshops. YCU participants are also provided professional development resources and opportunities, such as grant writing support and guidance, access to local theatre experiences and performances, and networking opportunities.
The program will run from September 10th, 2025, to June 1st, 2026. Group sessions will take place biweekly on Wednesdays from 5-8PM in the PWM Creative Studio, located at 7250 Rue Clark, suite #103.
If you are interested in learning more about the Young Creators Unit and PWM, or about the YCU 2025-2026 Application process, please email Leila at leila@playwrights.ca.
Eligibility
- Be an artist under the age of 30;
- Be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent residency status in Canada;
- Be located in Montreal and able to attend sessions in person;
- Be available for the whole program, September 2025 – June 2026;
- Be willing to participate in group activities during the program.
YCU is led by PWM’s Artistic Producer & Dramaturg, Leila Ghaemi.
Leila is a first generation Persian dramaturg and theatre creator. She received both her BFA in Theatre Arts and MFA in Theatre Education & Direction from Boston University’s School of Theatre. Early in her studies, she was introduced to dramaturgical methods, which quickly became the heartbeat and entry point of her artistic practices. Having spent a decade working for various theatre organizations in the United States, Leila was able to further develop her admin and artistic skills professionally, specifically focusing on new play development. Her artistic pillars include responsible MENASA representation, radical theatre empowerment, asking endless questions, and creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces – on and off stage. She also serves as the board president for Persephone Productions Montreal. When not dreaming about theatre, her world revolves around her very sassy cats: Leslie & Hiccup.
PWM welcomes all applications. 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.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, require assistance with this application, or would like to discuss alternative methods of applying, please contact Heather at accessibility@playwrights.ca.
Click here to preview the application form as a PDF.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, please fill out this Google Form by 11:59 PM EST by July 6th, 2025. Your application will require the following information:
- A brief bio of yourself, and your experience (if any) as a storyteller/creator.
- A brief description of the work you would like to develop in the YCU this year, or a list of some ideas (writing samples are not mandatory, but encouraged).
- A brief description sharing why you would like to join the Unit, and what you hope to get out of the experience.
- Any additional writing and/or artistic materials you would like to have considered with your application. This can be a current script excerpt, mood boards, music playlists, past work, etc.
This helps us get to know you and what sparks your interest as an artist and how you might fit into the YCU ensemble!
Due to the high level of interest in the YCU each year, we will be holding interviews with some of the potential candidates to learn more about their interests and goals, and what they hope to gain from the program. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask us questions! Please note that not all applicants will be contacted for an interview, and that an interview does not indicate whether or not you have been accepted into the program.
The number of Cohort members we can accept are limited, and participants are expected to attend the group sessions, one-on-one meetings, as well as commit to additional self-directed activities. Please only apply to the Unit if you are able to commit to the full schedule. All applicants will be informed of their results by Saturday, September 6th, 2025.
The Selection Process
Once the application period is closed, all applications will be reviewed and considered by a selection committee. Please note that there are many factors that go into the selection process, such as group dynamics and the range of experience within the Cohort. Decisions will not be based on training or competencies; we therefore encourage applications from all backgrounds and experience levels.
If you have any questions, please contact YCU’s Lead Dramaturg, Leila Ghaemi, at leila@playwrights.ca.
Learn more about the Young Creators Unit.
The YCU is made possible through the generous support of our funders:
