Description
Driftwood Theatre is now accepting applications for its 2025 Gillespie House Playwrights Retreat (GHPR) series. The GHPR is an entirely self-directed, paid opportunity that offers time and space to Ontario theatre makers who are developing new plays that are epic and mythic in nature.
In 2023, Driftwood Theatre launched a bold new artistic vision. Blending our history of touring Shakespeare’s works across the province, with our long-standing investment in the development of new plays, Driftwood Theatre is now an incubator for new plays by Ontario-based theatre creators, whose works respond to the world we live in today through epic and mythic storytelling. Like the driftwood which supports diverse ecosystems along Ontarian shores, Driftwood Theatre provides a framework for ideas and stories to take root and thrive.
Now in its 3rd year, the GHPR is looking to support emerging and established Ontario-based playwrights who are exploring bold new ideas for a theatrical work that is epic or mythic in nature (whatever that may mean to the applicant). We are looking for projects which are still in an ideation phase of development that explore uncharted creative territory for the applying artist.
Successful applicants will be invited to attend ONE of two available retreat periods in 2025; January 19th to 25th, 2025 OR April 6th to 12th, 2025. Applicants will be asked in our submission form to indicate which retreat period(s) they would be interested in/available to attend.
What we’re offering:
- Travel stipend within Ontario, accommodation, and complimentary daily breakfast for the duration of your stay.
- Access to support from our on-site dramaturg Caitie Graham, if desired.
- Two fire-side group discussions facilitated by Caitie with Artistic Director Jeremy Smith centring craft, process, and fellowship among attendees
- Opportunities to enjoy optional group activities in and around Prince Edward County
- An honorarium of $750.00
**As lunches and dinners are not covered as part of the retreat, playwrights will be expected to participate in a grocery sharing/communal cooking schedule at their own expense.
What we need from you:
- A Complete Application Form
- An Artist’s CV (max 3pgs)
- An Expression of Interest - in the form of a Written Letter (max 1pg, PDF) OR Applicant Video (max 5mins) that addresses the following;
- A brief intro of who you are and what drives you as a theatre maker.
- A description of the project you’d like to bring to the retreat, and how you feel it connects to our mission of sharing epic and mythic stories.
- A description of why you’re applying for the Retreat and how you would like to use your time here.
- Whatever else you think is important for us to consider!
- An Artistic Sample - in the form of a Writing Sample (max 10pgs double spaced, PDF) OR Video Sample (one link, max 10mins).
- Samples should be from a previous work, and will be our way of getting to know you as an artist.
After completing the application form, you will be prompted to send your Artist’s CV, Expression of Interest and Artistic Sample to Caitie Graham at cgraham@driftwoodtheatre.com. Please include your full name in the title of ALL attached files. Video submissions will only be accepted as unlisted YouTube links.
All applicants will be contacted via email upon receipt of their submission, and again by the end of December 2024 regarding the status of their application.
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The Gillespie House Playwrights Retreat welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who reflect the many communities that make up the province of Ontario. In particular, we will prioritize applications from artists who identify as BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Driftwood Theatre is also committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment for its staff and artists. However, The Gillespie House is not fully accessible. There are currently five steps up to its main floor from the street, and all guest rooms are located on the second floor, accessible by 23 steps.
If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of this application process or the retreat environment itself, please reach out to Caitie at cgraham@driftwoodtheatre.com for accommodations.
