Welcome to Theatre Direct’s programming for teens:
THE FUTURE IN PROGRESS
Established 2021, Next Draft invites young people ages thirteen to nineteen to build community through theatre.
From single day workshops (Artist 2 Artist), to after school programs (Plot Twist and Drama Club), to a year-long playwriting residency (Teen-in-Residence), we have a variety of offerings for teens excited to discover their artistry through theatre in a supportive and fun atmosphere, with quality of facilitators and accessibility.
All Next Draft programs are by application and free. Participants receive an honorarium for participation.
Check out highlights from our 2023/2024 season below:
PLOT TWIST
Pictured: Plot Twist 2024 Participants Photo Credit: Will Innes
October 9 to November 27, 2025
Weekly on Thursdays 4pm to 6pm Ages: 13 to 19
Theatre Direct Studio H
Plot Twist is a weekly after school program to explore writing for theatre.
Participants will have the opportunity to write dramatic texts through improv, creative writing and voice acting. As a group, they will create and present a live performance for an invited audience.
Entering its fifth year, this program provides a fun and playful environment for teens to collaborate and craft monologues, audio dramas, and short plays.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria ($30/session) and snacks provided.
Join our fifth cohort to be part of: – 8 x 2-hour sessions – Group of 8 participants – Playwriting, acting, and voice acting exercises including facilitated by professional theatre artists – Creation of one monologue and one group-written short play – Live performance for an invited audience – A professional audio recording of your monologue
Pictured: After The Beep 2022 Participants Photo Credit: Will Innes
The program is by application. Applications are now closed.
Check out work from past cohorts:
“Snowflakes and cigarette ash” (2021) Written and Performed by Iylah M. Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
“Dentist Accident” (2021) Written and Performed by Carlos M. Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
They Did It (2023) Written and Performed by Fiona C., Veda H., Tomas J., Cristina M., Stephanie M., Ivanson O., Phoebe S. Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
TEEN-IN-RESIDENCE
Pictured (L-R): Alten Wilmot, Arianna Kanji (Teen-in-Residence 2024/2025), Madeleine Brown, Simaiya Shirley (Teen-in-Residence 2021/2022) and Isabella Aquino (Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024) Photo Credit: Will Innes
November 2025 to June 2026
Biweekly 1-Hour Sessions: Date and Time TBD with Teen-in-Residence Online
&
In-Person Workshop and Staged Reading: Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2026 10am to 6pm Theatre Direct Studio H
Ages: 13 to 19
Teen-in-Residence is an opportunity for one teen to write a play with the support and mentorship of Theatre Direct.
The selected teen will participate in an eight-month paid residency with biweekly sessions in which they learn about playwriting and receive guidance as they develop a full-length play–maybe their first ever! The residency culminates with a workshop and staged reading of the play by a professional director and actors for a public audience.
Entering its fifth year, this program has supported four past Teens-in-Residence, resulting in four new plays with four public performances and one short film adaptation!
All levels of experience are welcome. Commission paid to Teen-in-Residence.
Be our fifth Teen-in-Residence to be a part of: – 1 x 8-month residency facilitated by a professional playwright – Playwriting exercises and mentorship to support and build on how you already approach writing – Biweekly online sessions to support your chosen goals and deadlines – Opportunities to network with professional theatre artists and learn about the theatre industry – Creation of one full-length play – A workshop of play with a professional director and actors – A staged reading of play by a professional director and actors for a public audience
Pictured: Simaiya Shirley (Teen-in-Residence 2021/2022) Photo Credit: Sam Polzin Photography
This program is by application and interview. Applications are now closed.
Check out work from past Teen-in-Residences:
Isabella Aquino Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024
Subha Azrin Teen-in-Residence 2022/2023
ARTIST 2 ARTIST
Pictured: Madeleine Brown, Artist 2 Artist 2025 Participants Photo Credit: Will Innes
Thursday January 29, 2026 Friday February 13, 2026
10am to 4pm
Ages: 13 to 19
Location TBA (West/Northwest Toronto)
Artist 2 Artist is a PA Day workshop series in which teens experiment with different styles of theatre creation.
Participants will connect with professional theatre artists, explore their practice, and then create their own performances inspired by them.
Entering its fifth year, this program has showcased nine different theatre artists whose practices explore inventive forms such as video game technology, poetry, drag, dance and magic.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria, lunch and snacks provided.
Join our fifth cohort to be part of: – 2 x 6-hour sessions facilitated by professional theatre artists – Group of 12 participants – Drama games, improv/devised theatre exercises and play script exploration – Creation of two group-written performances – 2 x live performances for no audience
Pictured: Voice 2 Text 2023 Participants
The program is by application.
Teens can apply online or by filling out a hard copy of the application at select community organizations from January 2026.
DRAMA CLUB
Pictured (L-R): Lisa Marie DiLiberto, Drama Club 2025 Participants Photo Credit: Will Innes
March 26 to April 30, 2026
Weekly on Thursdays 4pm to 6pm
Ages: 13 to 19
Theatre Direct Studio H
Come be a part of Theatre Direct’s Drama Club!
Drama Club is a weekly after school theatre group in which teens play drama games and participate in specialized theatre workshops.
This program will be facilitated by professional theatre artists who are developing new workshops concepts for teens and sharpening their facilitation practice. Facilitators will deliver their workshop with support and mentorship from Theatre Direct–and feedback from teens!
Entering its second year, this program has fostered connection among and between teens and theatre artists through sessions inspired by improv, physical theatre, sound, and more.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria and snacks provided.
Join our first cohort to be a part of: – 6 x 2-hour sessions – Group of 12 participants – As a participant: an opportunity to meet and build community with teens interested in theatre through drama games and theatre creation – As a facilitator: an opportunity to test out a new theatre workshop concept and receive mentorship for producing and facilitating future iterations of it – Play-focussed–no expected results or performance!
Pictured: Voice 2 Text 2024 Participants Photo Credit: Will Innes
For participants: The program is by application. Teens can apply online or by filling out a hard copy of the application at select community organizations from February 2026.
For facilitators: The program is by invitation. To express interest, please contact madeleine@theatredirect.ca. All facilitators will be paid.
Next Draft
Welcome to Theatre Direct’s programming for teens:
Established 2021, Next Draft invites young people ages thirteen to nineteen to build community through theatre.
From single day workshops (Artist 2 Artist), to after school programs (Plot Twist and Drama Club), to a year-long playwriting residency (Teen-in-Residence), we have a variety of offerings for teens excited to discover their artistry through theatre in a supportive and fun atmosphere, with quality of facilitators and accessibility.
All Next Draft programs are by application and free. Participants receive an honorarium for participation.
For additional information, please contact madeleine@theatredirect.ca and join our mailing list for program details and updates.
Check out highlights from our 2023/2024 season below:
PLOT TWIST
Pictured: Plot Twist 2024 Participants
Photo Credit: Will Innes
October 9 to November 27, 2025
Weekly on Thursdays
4pm to 6pm
Ages: 13 to 19
Theatre Direct Studio H
Plot Twist is a weekly after school program to explore writing for theatre.
Participants will have the opportunity to write dramatic texts through improv, creative writing and voice acting. As a group, they will create and present a live performance for an invited audience.
Entering its fifth year, this program provides a fun and playful environment for teens to collaborate and craft monologues, audio dramas, and short plays.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria ($30/session) and snacks provided.
Join our fifth cohort to be part of:
– 8 x 2-hour sessions
– Group of 8 participants
– Playwriting, acting, and voice acting exercises including facilitated by professional theatre artists
– Creation of one monologue and one group-written short play
– Live performance for an invited audience
– A professional audio recording of your monologue
Pictured: After The Beep 2022 Participants
Photo Credit: Will Innes
The program is by application. Applications are now closed.
Check out work from past cohorts:
“Snowflakes and cigarette ash” (2021)
Written and Performed by Iylah M.
Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
“Dentist Accident” (2021)
Written and Performed by Carlos M.
Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
They Did It (2023)
Written and Performed by Fiona C., Veda H., Tomas J., Cristina M., Stephanie M., Ivanson O., Phoebe S.
Sound Design by Jake Runeckles
TEEN-IN-RESIDENCE
Pictured (L-R): Alten Wilmot, Arianna Kanji (Teen-in-Residence 2024/2025), Madeleine Brown, Simaiya Shirley (Teen-in-Residence 2021/2022) and Isabella Aquino (Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024)
Photo Credit: Will Innes
November 2025 to June 2026
Biweekly 1-Hour Sessions:
Date and Time TBD with Teen-in-Residence
Online
&
In-Person Workshop and Staged Reading:
Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2026
10am to 6pm
Theatre Direct Studio H
Ages: 13 to 19
Teen-in-Residence is an opportunity for one teen to write a play with the support and mentorship of Theatre Direct.
The selected teen will participate in an eight-month paid residency with biweekly sessions in which they learn about playwriting and receive guidance as they develop a full-length play–maybe their first ever! The residency culminates with a workshop and staged reading of the play by a professional director and actors for a public audience.
Entering its fifth year, this program has supported four past Teens-in-Residence, resulting in four new plays with four public performances and one short film adaptation!
All levels of experience are welcome. Commission paid to Teen-in-Residence.
Be our fifth Teen-in-Residence to be a part of:
– 1 x 8-month residency facilitated by a professional playwright
– Playwriting exercises and mentorship to support and build on how you already approach writing
– Biweekly online sessions to support your chosen goals and deadlines
– Opportunities to network with professional theatre artists and learn about the theatre industry
– Creation of one full-length play
– A workshop of play with a professional director and actors
– A staged reading of play by a professional director and actors for a public audience
Pictured: Simaiya Shirley (Teen-in-Residence 2021/2022)
Photo Credit: Sam Polzin Photography
This program is by application and interview. Applications are now closed.
Check out work from past Teen-in-Residences:
Isabella Aquino
Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024
Subha Azrin
Teen-in-Residence 2022/2023
ARTIST 2 ARTIST
Pictured: Madeleine Brown, Artist 2 Artist 2025 Participants
Photo Credit: Will Innes
Thursday January 29, 2026
Friday February 13, 2026
10am to 4pm
Ages: 13 to 19
Location TBA
(West/Northwest Toronto)
Artist 2 Artist is a PA Day workshop series in which teens experiment with different styles of theatre creation.
Participants will connect with professional theatre artists, explore their practice, and then create their own performances inspired by them.
Entering its fifth year, this program has showcased nine different theatre artists whose practices explore inventive forms such as video game technology, poetry, drag, dance and magic.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria, lunch and snacks provided.
Join our fifth cohort to be part of:
– 2 x 6-hour sessions facilitated by professional theatre artists
– Group of 12 participants
– Drama games, improv/devised theatre exercises and play script exploration
– Creation of two group-written performances
– 2 x live performances for no audience
Pictured: Voice 2 Text 2023 Participants
The program is by application.
Teens can apply online or by filling out a hard copy of the application at select community organizations from January 2026.
DRAMA CLUB
Pictured (L-R): Lisa Marie DiLiberto, Drama Club 2025 Participants
Photo Credit: Will Innes
March 26 to April 30, 2026
Weekly on Thursdays
4pm to 6pm
Ages: 13 to 19
Theatre Direct Studio H
Come be a part of Theatre Direct’s Drama Club!
Drama Club is a weekly after school theatre group in which teens play drama games and participate in specialized theatre workshops.
This program will be facilitated by professional theatre artists who are developing new workshops concepts for teens and sharpening their facilitation practice. Facilitators will deliver their workshop with support and mentorship from Theatre Direct–and feedback from teens!
Entering its second year, this program has fostered connection among and between teens and theatre artists through sessions inspired by improv, physical theatre, sound, and more.
All levels of experience are welcome. Honoraria and snacks provided.
Join our first cohort to be a part of:
– 6 x 2-hour sessions
– Group of 12 participants
– As a participant: an opportunity to meet and build community with teens interested in theatre through drama games and theatre creation
– As a facilitator: an opportunity to test out a new theatre workshop concept and receive mentorship for producing and facilitating future iterations of it
– Play-focussed–no expected results or performance!
Pictured: Voice 2 Text 2024 Participants
Photo Credit: Will Innes
For participants: The program is by application. Teens can apply online or by filling out a hard copy of the application at select community organizations from February 2026.
For facilitators: The program is by invitation. To express interest, please contact madeleine@theatredirect.ca. All facilitators will be paid.