Call for Submissions (Calgary): Queer and Trans Playwright Club – Verb Theatre, Theater News

Call for Submissions: Verb Theatre’s Queer and Trans Playwright Club

Are you a queer and/or trans writer in Calgary looking for a space to connect, create, and share your voice? Whether you’re a seasoned playwright or exploring the craft for the very first time, Verb Theatre’s Queer and Trans Playwright Club is for you!

From November 2024 to May 2025, we’ll meet regularly in person to foster community and creativity among queer artists. This could include discussing projects, sharing writing excerpts, and swapping ideas. Or it could take shape in the Club attending plays, having picnics, or swapping our favourite books (resources and activities covered by Verb). These gatherings will be about more than just honing your playwriting skills—they’re a chance to build lasting relationships, support one another, and grow as a collective of artists in a queer and dynamic space.

While the Club will culminate in traditional staged readings in May, the journey is just as important as the destination. We encourage anyone interested in storytelling through theatre to apply, including directors, actors, designers, and other theatre artists who are keen to explore the craft of playwriting. Our goal is to uplift and celebrate queer voices in all their sparkling diversity.

What the Queer & Trans Playwright Club Offers:

-A $1000 Honorarium
-Connecting and Networking with other Queer and/or Trans writers, artists, and playwrights.
-A minimum of four Club meetups that will include writing discussion and community wellness.
-Access to two Queer and/or Trans playwright mentors who will also act as Dramaturges and Directors for your works in progress.
-Three Dramaturgical meetings: you will be paired with another writer in the group to have three-person sessions with one of two writing mentors/dramaturges to discuss your works in progress.
-Workshopping time with an ensemble of actors and your dramaturge/director in advance of the public presentations.
-A public presentation of your work in progress in May 2025

Submission Guidelines & Information:

-Open to playwrights of all experience levels – including first-time or more established writers.
-You must reside in Calgary and be available for in-person meetings from November through May.
-We warmly welcome artists from other theatre disciplines (directors, actors, designers, etc.) to apply as well!

Interested? Fill out our Google Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10yM7Sf2jeEk7c7Wx8OquZRgW5O0fN0cNTn59aU9Noq4/edit

Send questions to: camille@verbtheatre.com

Deadline: November 1st, 2024

Let’s create something amazing—together.