***PLEASE NOTE***
Travel Subsidies are now completed. There is no more travel funding available for 2024/2025.
PlayConnect applications will not be processed between December 9th, 2024 to January 7th, 2025.
Applications will be held during this period and processed after January 7th, 2025.
PlayConnect is a readings program for playwrights, theatre creators, and storytellers. It connects playwrights with communities and new audiences by providing a reading fee and travel funding to the playwright. PGC ensures that the program is accessible and inclusive of a wide-ranging group of artists and audiences. *PlayConnect is funded by the Canada Arts Council and open to full members of PGC.
Hosts are the organizations or individuals who are organizing events for the public. This can include, but is not limited to, libraries, bookstores, community centres, educational institutions, theatres, etc. Applications are accepted from hosts only.
Solo Long: A Solo Long read features one (1) playwright who will read for 20-30 minutes and then participate in a question and answer session for up to 30 minutes.
Solo Short: A Solo Short read features one(1) playwright who will read for 10-15 minutes and then participate in a question and answer session for up to 20 minutes.
Panel: A Panel read features two (2) or three (3) playwrights who will read for 10-15 minutes each and then participate in a collective question and answer session for up to 30 minutes (total).
In order to be eligible, the proposed reading must be free of charge and open to the public (except in educational institutions).
PGC Members will be given first priority for readings. As a host, if you are not sure if the playwright is a member of PGC, please email marketing@playwrightsguild.ca.
Program Details
With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, PGC subsidizes this program as funds allow. Subsidies may include artist fees and travel. The program remains open regardless of subsidies.
PGC Members will be given first priority for participation in PlayConnect. PGC further prioritizes readings by playwrights who identify with historically underrepresented groups, including IBPOC & LGBTQ2S+.
If you would like to host a playwright reading or if you are a member looking to set up a reading for yourself, please read the guidelines carefully and apply through the appropriate application forms. Please note PGC Members are prioritized.
Eligible Events:
- Events must be free and open to the public (exception: educational institutions)
- Events must include advance publicity
- The author of the work must be the reader
- Online events must be on a publicly accessible platform such as YouTube, Zoom, Facebook, GoogleMeet, etc.
- Online events must include both audio and video
Ineligible Events:
- Conferences
- Readings as part of an another, ticketed event
- Workshops
- Readings by actors
- Events with other sources of funding
- Readings by playwrights who are staff of the organization or are a Director of the organization
- Pay What You Can (PWYC) Events
Important Notes:
- Readings may not be recorded
- PGC divides the subsidies to support a rolling intake process
- Subsidies are available at this time
Hosts are the organizations or individuals who are organizing events for the public. This can include, but is not limited to, libraries, bookstores, community centres, educational institutions, theatres, etc. Applications are accepted from hosts only.
Solo Long: A Solo Long read features one (1) playwright who will read for 20-30 minutes and then participate in a question and answer session for up to 30 minutes. (Playwright is paid $275.)
Solo Short: A Solo Short read features one(1) playwright who will read for 10-15 minutes and then participate in a question and answer session for up to 20 minutes. (Playwright is paid $150.)
Panel: A Panel read features two (2) or three (3) playwrights who will read for 10-15 minutes each and then participate in a collective question and answer session for up to 30 minutes (total). Each playwright is paid $150.)
Guidelines
General Rules:
- Venues must be open to the general public free of charge at the time of the reading. School readings are exceptions.
- Readings are done by the playwright themselves. This funding does not go toward paying actors.
- Readings are not recorded and are not to be posted online after the event. If a host would like to record and post online, an additional agreement with a fee can be discussed with the playwright and PGC.
- Requests for readings must be made at least one month prior to the scheduled or proposed reading date.
- Please allow up to two weeks for a response after you have submitted an application. Should your application be approved, you will receive a confirmation with your next steps to secure your booking. For Hosts, this will include an administrative fee of $75 (+tax) for profit and $50 (+tax) for non for profit organizations.
- Playwrights must be Full or Supporting members of PGC, in good standing.
- All Full PGC members are eligible for up to two readings per fiscal year.
- All Supporting members are eligible for one reading per fiscal year.
- PGC’s assistance is available to help playwrights and hosts set up the reading and organize the reading that is already in the planning stage.
- Playwrights must go through an onboarding process with our program coordinator once their application is approved. A video tutorial will become available once the reading has been set up.
Transportation
Please note: Travel Subsidies are now completed. There is no more travel funding available for 2024/2025.
- Playwrights will pay for their own transportation and submit receipts (up to $600) to be reimbursed after the reading. Receipts will be submitted with the Transportation Expense Form.
- Transportation Funds do not cover accommodations or per diems. Receipts for transportation that do not directly apply to the reading event will not be accepted.
- Since funds are limited, playwrights are required to use the most economical form of travel available.
- If the playwright is using their personal vehicle, they will be reimbursed at a rate of $0.32/kilometre ($0.52/mile). This rate includes the use of a vehicle and gas expenses.
- Other forms of travel (bus/ferry/taxi): for other forms of travel the playwright must pay for the ticket and submit their receipt for reimbursement with the Transportation Expense Form.
- Please note: if you have not sent in the transportation report within one month of the date of the scheduled reading, your transportation funding will be revoked and placed back into the funding pool for other playwrights to use.
- In the case of a cancellation or postponement of the reading by the host organization, the host will reimburse PGC for the playwright’s travel expenses (if ticket has already been purchased). If the time, date or location of the reading changes, please notify PGC so we may update our calendar.
Intakes
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
PGC Members will be given first priority for participation in PlayConnect. PGC further prioritizes readings by playwrights who identify with historically underrepresented groups, including IBPOC & LGBTQ2S+.
For Hosts
- Hosts may request assistance from PGC to receive general information about member playwrights in their area, by genre, or other identifiers
- PGC will not recommend or select specific playwrights for an event
- Venues must be open to the general public free of charge at the time of the reading. School readings are exceptions.
- Venues are obligated to advertise the reading to members of the general public. Advertisements must clearly acknowledge the support of Playwrights Guild of Canada
- Events must be publicized in advance
- All event publicity and materials must acknowledge the PlayConnect program. PlayConnect logo
- A final report is due from the host no later than 14 business days after the event
- An example of publicity materials must be submitted to PGC with the final report
- Hosts will pay an Administrative Fee for each project approved
- $50+tax for non-profit organizations
- $75+tax for businesses
- Once the project is fully approved, the host must keep in direct contact with theplaywright(s) to facilitate details.
- If a host cancels an event that include transportation subsidy, the host will be responsible for covering expenses incurred to date.
- Any questions, please contact marketing@playwrightsguild.ca
Information for Playwrights and Hosts already participating in PlayConnect
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there funding left in the PlayConnect program?
Try submitting an application. If the form is open for submissions, then there may be funds left. If there are no funds left, the submission form will be closed. You can also email marketing@playwrightsguild.ca to inquire.
Am I eligible for a PlayConnect reading?
If you are a full or supporting member in good standing, then you are eligible for two readings between April 1st and March 31st.
