Introducing AMPLIFIER artist Sylvia Cloutier

Photo of Sylvia Cloutier, artist of the AMPLIFIER program.

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, LA SERRE — arts vivants, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal are thrilled to announce the inaugural season of AMPLIFIER: a fully supported exploratory creation process for playwrights with artist Sylvia Cloutier and her project HUSH!

THE ARTIST

Headshot of artist Sylvia Cloutier
Photo by Maxime Côté

Sylvia Cloutier is an actor, musician, playwright, television and theatre producer, director, motivational speaker and mother from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), currently residing in Montreal. 

Over the course of her twenty-five-year career as a singer, she has performed nationally and internationally both as a solo artist and in collaboration with many esteemed artists and ensembles including Tafelmusik, the National Art Center Symphony Orchestra, Florent Vollant, DJ Geronimo Inutiq Leela Gilday and Madeleine Allakariallak . 

A recent graduate of the National Theatre School in Montreal as the Indigenous artist-in-residence (2018-2020), Sylvia has worked as a performer for 25 years. Cloutier is the co-founder of the Inuit performing arts company Aqsarniit; served as Artistic Director of Qaggiq theatre company in Iqaluit from 2004-2009; and as theatre project manager in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (2008-2010). 

Building on her talent and expertise in both theatre and music, Cloutier began writing, producing and directing for stage and screen in 1999. She has developed live shows for such prestigious events as the 1999 Inauguration of Nunavut in Ottawa and the Arctic Inspiration Prize, and concerts for both the festivals Alianait (2005-2019) and Toonik Tyme (2003-2018) in Iqaluit. Sylvia has also been a producer for six Inuktitut television series, including Niqitsiat (2015-2016) and Nunavummi Mamarijavut (2017-2018). She also produced and co-created the musical production TULUGAK (2011-2014), collaborating with Inuit artists from Canada and Greenland. 

A motivational speaker and mentor for youth, Cloutier was named “Woman of the Year” by Pauktutiit, the national Inuit women’s organization in 2009, and received an award for “Outstanding young woman of the year” by Qullit Nunavut women’s organization in 2013.

THE PROJECT

Sylvia’s project, HUSH, explores how an Inuit community is impacted by the loss of someone to suicide. The play invites the audience to Nunavik to witness the Inuit culture, its relationship with the environment, its resilience, and how colonization stripped away its power to take over and take away spirituality and sense of autonomy. 

“If we can be aware of our realities then we can learn to understand our history better. If we can understand our history and the trauma then we can work on acceptance. When we accept our pain then we can heal. When we heal, only then can we can reconcile. No more need to HUSH.”

Sylvia is the first artist supported by AMPLIFIER in English. Over the duration of the program, she will benefit from dramaturgical consultations, creation workshops, a creation production residency followed by a laboratory presentation, and receive a creation grant of $13,000.

THE PROGRAM

The Conseil des arts de Montréal, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, and LA SERRE — arts vivants created this program to highlight the artistic and social contributions of theatre artists from culturally diverse, indigenous, or racialized communities working creatively in one of Canada’s official languages.

AMPLIFIER tangibly supports the professional development of theatrical writers from cultural communities, and reduces obstacles faced by these artists in the Montréal theatre community, including those related to inclusion, access to resources and services, visibility and legitimization, and funding.

Additionally, it seeks to foster dialogue between Montréal’s English- and French-speaking theatre communities, as well as intercultural exchanges and greater representation from culturally diverse artists within the theatre community and on Montreal stages. In order to support artists writing in French and artists writing in English, this program is offered by the Centre des auteurs dramatiques in French under the name Voi.e.s.x Théâtrales, and by PWM in English.

The development of Sylvia’s project will take place over 2 years. We wish her an exciting creation!

This program is a partnership between
PWM logo

Welcome to our Digital Dramaturgy Clinic!

Do you have a performance piece you have been working on for some time, with concepts you want to fold into your work but do not know how to accomplish technically or digitally?

Perhaps you are at the early stages of your next creation, and want to gather information and knowledge on what is possible on a technical and digital level?

Or maybe you had a piece originally intended for live performance, and want to carry it over in a digital format?

“I want to write holograms into my piece, how would holograms work on stage?”

This digital dramaturgy “first-aid” program offers creators a free, one-time session (up to 2 hours) with tech and digital specialists Emily Soussana & Andrew Scriver (otherwise known as potatoCakes_digital), to discuss their creation and the technical questions they might have. 

After learning about your goals, Emily and Andrew will help you brainstorm and offer possible technical or digital solutions to your needs. They can discuss the technical processes required, as well as potential story-driven digital concepts to best translate your piece digitally. 

HOW IT WORKS

The Digital Dramaturgy Clinic is an ongoing program, artists in need of assistance should contact Emily & Andrew at potatocakesdigital@playwrights.ca with a short synopsis of their work and the question they wish to address, so that the session can be prepared in advance.

Further consultation can be scheduled if appropriate. This program is set up to help you identify the expertise and technology you need to realize your vision.

project supported bY
The Digital Dramaturgy Clinic is funded by the Secretariat for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers

2020-2021 AMPLIFIER: a fully supported exploratory creation process for playwrights

The deadline to apply to this program has passed!
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about our latest initiatives.

IMPORTANT:
Applicants can apply to more than one partnership program at Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, but can only be the recipient of one partnership program.

PWM is an English language minority company and therefore the work with PWM will take place in English. The application must be completed in English.
We are thrilled to announce that Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM), LA SERRE–arts vivants (LA SERRE) and the Conseil des Arts de Montréal (CAM) are launching a new program offering comprehensive dramaturgical and artistic support to a professional playwright residing on the island of Montreal. This includes dramaturgical consultation, creation workshop, a creation production residency, followed by a laboratory presentation.

The following playwrights are eligible to submit proposals: Indigenous artists (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), 1st or 2nd generation immigrant artists from a culturally diverse community*, or racialized artists.
Board Members of CAM, PWM and La Serre are not eligible to apply.

*As defined in the Conseil des Arts de Montréal’s glossary

In order to support artists writing in French and artists writing in English, this program is being offered alternately by the Centre des auteurs dramatiques (CEAD) in French one year, and by PWM in English every other year. This edition is intended for artists creating in the English language.

THE GOALS

The program aims to highlight the artistic and social contributions of theatre artists from culturally diverse, indigenous, or racialized communities working creatively in one of Canada’s official languages.

Additionally, it seeks to foster dialogue between Montréal’s English- and French-speaking theatre communities, as well as intercultural exchanges and greater representation from culturally diverse artists within the theatre community and on Montreal stages.

Refer to the Program Presentation (PDF) for more details about what this partnership includes, eligibility criteria and other conditions.

THE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

PWM logo

CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes excellence in the professional creation, production and dissemination of the arts.

To remain in tune with the organizations and collectives it serves, the Conseil relies on its knowledge of the communities, its innovative skills, and its ability to bring the city’s artists and financial partners together.

PLAYWRIGHTS’ WORKSHOP MONTRÉAL 

PWM is a national new creation centre for theatre and performance led by a team of dramaturgs and arts administrators. While playwriting has been at the core of what we do for over 50 years, our work now strives to include devised and interdisciplinary forms of creation. In addition to seeking collaborations across diverse artistic practices, we are strongly committed to supporting work which reflects a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences. 

What is dramaturgy and what do we do?

Dramaturgy is an exploration of all the elements that make a work, how they are brought together to create meaning, and what the process for developing that work might be. PWM primarily works on projects that centre text and narrative but also on pieces where text and storytelling are not the primary components or concerns.

PWM’s work centres around the artist and our dynamic collaborative process is tailored to meet the needs of their project. We listen deeply to understand who an artist is, what they are making and how they want their work to evolve. We offer feedback and reflection through questions and conversation and often accompany the artists from draft to draft or iteration to iteration. We work one-on-one, but also through workshops and residencies.

For us, dramaturgy must also consider the reverberations/implications of a piece of performance through time and space, and beyond the room/page in/on which it is being created. 

LA SERRE–ARTS VIVANTS

LA SERRE is a structuring incubator for the improvement of the conditions under which emerging artists carry out their work in live art. It accompanies them in the expansion of their work, from the creation process to encounters with the public. It helps artists develop their autonomy, organizational maturity and artistic independence. LA SERRE acts as an activator of collaborations between artists and local, national and international partners, as well as artists from various artistic disciplines and other areas. Artistically, LA SERRE favors projects that establish evocative links between art and society, and facilitate connections between different disciplinary fields and sectors.

SUPPORT PROVIDED

The recipient of the program will receive a project creation grant of $13,000 by the CAM over two years, along with numerous services provided by PWM, LA SERRE, et CAM. This is a one-time, non-renewable grant.

The program takes place over two years, and support is provided as follows:

YEAR 1

$3,000 creation grant for a new theatrical creation

30 hours of dramaturgical collaboration with Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal

9 hours of script workshopping offered by Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal

A staged reading with actors at Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal

YEAR 2

$10,000 creation grant for production

40 hours of production and management mentorship by LA SERRE–arts vivants

60 hours of free access to the Conseil des Arts de Montréal’s studios

Presentation of two performances in lab format

One-year subscription to Machinerie des arts.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please complete the online application form. Refer to the Program Presentation (PDF) for all details about this partnership. During the application process, you will be asked to include the following documents:

  • An excerpt of a previously written theatrical work in English (10 pages maximum, PDF or DOC);
  • An excerpt of the project (10 pages maximum, PDF or DOC);
  • The author’s CV (PDF or DOC)

Only the required documents will be forwarded to members of the evaluation committee.

Applications will be evaluated by representatives of the CAM, PWM and La Serre. Projects will be evaluated based on merit, and the selection will take the projects’ comparative value into consideration. The evaluation committee will take into consideration diversity of practice, artists’ experience, accessibility needs, 2SLGBTQQIPAA+, and gender parity.

The deadline to submit applications is November 1, 2020 at 11:59PM. All applicants will be notified of the results by December 10, 2020. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your application or your project, do not hesitate to contact us. We prefer to have the opportunity to discuss hybrid theatrical forms, unusual professional backgrounds and multiple ethnocultural affiliations with applicants.

Please address questions to Emma Tibaldo, Executive and Artistic Director of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, at emma@playwrights.ca.

2020 COLE FOUNDATION MENTORSHIP FOR EMERGING TRANSLATORS

Deadline extended to October 18!

The translation of new work for the stage is a core part of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal’s (PWM) programming. Since its inception in 2013, the Cole Foundation Mentorship for Emerging Translators (formerly Cole Competition for Emerging Translators) has been guiding the next generation of translators from French into English. 

With the expert guidance of acclaimed translator Maureen Labonté and in partnership with the Cole Foundation, PWM has built a program that mentors emerging translators through every stage of the process. The successful applicant to this year’s mentorship program will receive a $1,000 honorarium and an eight-month mentorship with Maureen Labonté which includes a workshop with actors and a public reading.

WHO CAN APPLY?

To be eligible, emerging translators must have completed at least one translation which has received a public reading, publication or production. Because the focus is on developing translators, the applicant must not have done more than three translations. 

WITH WHAT PLAY(S)?

Before applying for the Mentorship, emerging translators must choose the play they wish to translate and contact the playwright for permission: Establishing a connection to the play and the playwright in advance means that the applicant is already invested in the proposed work and would be in a position to begin work immediately following the announcement of the selected project.

Translations must be from French into English only. 

Full-length scripts, one acts or theatre for young people are all welcome. Please note, our expertise does not extend to the translation of musicals.

SUPPORT PROVIDED

The recipient of the program will receive $1000 honorarium, dramaturgical support from renowned translator, Maureen Labonté, and a translation workshop with actors.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please send us:

  • A one-page letter of intent describing the project, its challenges and your reasons for wanting to translate the work;
  • Your biography (maximum 250 words);
  • A copy of your chosen play;
  • Written permission from the original playwright of the play;
  • A 3 to 5 page sample of your previous translation work, please include the corresponding original text.

Send all the documents in one email to emma@playwrights.ca with the subject line “2020 Cole Foundation Mentorship for Emerging Translators – Application”. 

The deadline to submit applications is October 18, 2020 at 11:59PM. All applicants will be notified of the results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions about the eligibility of your application or your project, do not hesitate to contact us. Please address questions to Emma Tibaldo, Executive and Artistic Director of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, at emma@playwrights.ca.

In partnership with

Logo of the Cole Foundation

2020-2021 PWM + MAI joint support for artists* interested in working with a dramaturg

Hero image for post - 2020-2021 PWM+

The deadline to apply to this program has passed!
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about our latest initiatives.

IMPORTANT:
Applicants can apply to more than one partnership program at Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, but can only be the recipient of one partnership program.

PWM is an English language minority company and therefore the work with PWM will take place in English. The application must be completed in English.

Artists who have already applied to the MAI’s artist support program Alliance can apply to this partnership program, but can only be the recipient of one MAI program at a time.
We are thrilled to announce that PLAYWRIGHTS’ WORKSHOP MONTRÉAL AND MAI (MONTRÉAL, ARTS INTERCULTURELS) have joined forces to create a joint support for artists* interested in working with a dramaturg! 

The following artists are eligible to submit proposals: Indigenous artists (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), racialized artists (including racialized recent immigrants), members of the 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ communities and/or deaf, hearing-impaired, neurodiverse or differently abled artists as well as artists living with disabilities and chronic diseases.

*We accept applications from artists in theatre, performance, dance, circus, interdisciplinary arts and visual arts (with a performance component) if they are interested in collaborating with a dramaturg from theatre and performance.

PWM logo

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM) is a national new creation centre for theatre and performance led by a team of dramaturgs and arts administrators. While playwriting has been at the core of what we do for over 50 years, our work now strives to include devised and interdisciplinary forms of creation. In addition to seeking collaborations across diverse artistic practices, we are strongly committed to supporting work which reflects a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences. 

Hosting 10-15 artists, collectives and companies per year, MAI’s Alliance program is a unique artist support initiative conceived for practitioners from all fields who encounter systemic and structural obstacles. The program strives to eliminate barriers to their full participation in the arts by offering financial allocations and guidance that are adapted to the learning and creative needs and desires of each participant. 

What is dramaturgy and what do we do? 

Dramaturgy is an exploration of all the elements that make a work, how they are brought together to create meaning, and what the process for developing that work might be. PWM primarily works on projects that centre text and narrative but also on pieces where text and storytelling are not the primary components or concerns.

PWM’s work centres around the artist and our dynamic collaborative process is tailored to meet the needs of their project. We listen deeply to understand who an artist is, what they are making and how they want their work to evolve. We offer feedback and reflection through questions and conversation and often accompany the artists from draft to draft or iteration to iteration. We work one-on-one, but also through workshops and residencies.

For us, dramaturgy must also consider the reverberations/implications of a piece of performance through time and space, and beyond the room/page in/on which it is being created. 

Refer to the Artist’s guide (PDF) for more details about what this joint mentorship includes, eligibility criteria and other conditions.

SUPPORT
PROVIDED

Personalized project coordination support

$5,000 fund allocation (refer to “MAI’s allocations: How they work” for more information)

Training and collective reflection opportunities

Access to the MAI rehearsal studios

30 hours with a dramaturg, including a 20-hour workshop if relevant

The PWM + MAI joint support for artists* interested in working with a dramaturg is not a grant program. It offers an allocation of funds  ($5,000) for the artists to establish mentorships and collaborations, supporting their learning and creation process (for example, to work with a mentor, a sound designer, a choreographer, a grant writer, or other experts and collaborators). Please see the toolbox’s document ‘MAI’s allocations: how they work’ for more information about what is eligible and ineligible.

The deadline to submit applications is September 27, 2020 at 11:59PM. All applicants will be notified of the results by the end of November 2020. 

project supported by the City of Montreal, the Government of Quebec, and the Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council logo

Black lives matter.

Artists have forever been agents of cultural change with the ability to illustrate political truths, direct resistance, and inspire reform. 

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal stands in solidarity with our community in demanding justice and change. We  condemn Quebec Premier François Legault’s denial of systemic racism in Quebec.

We stand with all creators fighting for social justice and equity. 


If you are looking for ways to get help, or want to provide support please visit the following links:

Write to your local representatives

to condemn Premier Legault’s groundless comments on the “non-existence of systemic racism in Québec” made on June 1st during an official press conference. 

Here is a template you can use

Write to your city officials to defund the police

Here is a template for the City of Montreal


Resources to keep learning and stay informed:

Consult this great round-up of resources collected by the Quebec Drama Federation

Read and learn about what Black-led associations and organizations are doing. You can consult this master list of Black community organisations in Montreal compiled by BlackMontreal

Consult the website of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR)

Scaffolded Anti-racism resources (an extensive list of resources organized by stage)

Anti-racism resources for white people (another comprehensive list of resources)

#BlackLivesMtlSyllabus– Montreal specific reading syllabus compiled by Robyn Maynard, author of Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to Present

White Supremacy Culture in Organizations by COCo (Centre for Community Organizations)

Added June 17, 2020:

Articule’s Open letter to artist-run centres in Québec: Moving Beyond Statements of Solidarity (a bilingual resource)

Racial Equity Tools

Accessibility Tools
English (Canada)
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