PLAYWRIGHTS’ WORKSHOP MONTRÉAL WRITERS’ ROOM IS A TWICE-MONTHLY ONLINE GATHERING OF PLAYWRIGHTS AND THEATRE CREATORS.

Facilitated Zoom meetings are convened for you to touch base during the day, in order to connect, share, and foster solidarity. This structured time is designed to mitigate the isolation of solo work.

The Writers’ Room is facilitated by playwright and dramaturg Corrina Hodgson and PWM dramaturg and artistic director Fatma Sarah Elkashef*.

Sessions occur twice a month on Thursdays. Over the course of the day we connect 3 times to catch-up, speak about what we are working on, and share tools and inspiration. If you have not been able to write or are struggling with your practice, you are welcome here.

Accessibility concerns are central to how we structure our programs, and we’ve learned a lot from our Accessibility Committee conversations. Click here to read more about the work done by PWM’s accessibility committee. The Writers’ Room is a community of practice and as such we expect all participants to support an inclusive environment for each other.

Conversations pertaining to chronic illness, chronic pain, disability and other systemic barriers to creativity and creative practice are welcome in this space, particularly during our drop-in hours. The drop-in hours are between 11am – 1pm, and can be found on our shared Google Calendar. We welcome you to stop by and chat about what you are working on with drop-in facilitator Corrina Hodgson. You are also welcome to hang out and write if having a space where your work is witnessed serves you and your creative process.

Coming soon – Starting this year, the Writer’s Room will be evolving to include d/Deaf and hard of hearing artists. We are currently working with consultant Sage Lovell, founder of Deaf Spectrum, to consider how to meet the needs of a mixed group of d/Deaf and hearing artists including facilitation and ASL-English interpretation.

CAN I ATTEND REGULAR CHECK-IN’S AND THE DROP-IN HOURS?

Yes! Absolutely.

You can attend the regular check-in times and stay for the drop-in hours.

You can come just for the drop-in hours (and you don’t have to stay for the whole time).

You can come just for the scheduled check-ins, or just one of them.

Whatever works for you!

The meetings take place over ZOOM. To join the Writers’ Room, fill out the Google Form through the link below to let us know you’re interested. You’ll be asked for a little information about yourself and to read our safer space guidelines. Once that’s done you’ll receive email notifications with details for each scheduled Writer’s Room, as well as access to our shared Google Calendar, which lists our open drop-in hours.

If you have any questions regarding accessibility, or require assistance with the form, please contact Heather accessibility@playwrights.ca.If you have any other questions about the Writers’ Room please contact Sarah sarah@playwrights.ca or Corrie at corrina@playwrights.ca.

* Corrina Hodgson is a QueerCrip playwright who recently returned to practice after her second spinal fusion left her with arachnoiditis. She understands the fundamental role that community plays in resiliency and is grateful for the community at the Writers’ Room.

Fatma Sarah Elkashef is a dramaturg and theatre maker focused on new play development and interdisciplinary creation. Born and raised in the U.K. to Egyptian and Dutch parents, she has been based in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) since 2010. Sarah has been the artistic director of PWM since October 2021.