info@theatredirect.ca 1 Wiltshire Ave. Unit 127 Toronto, ON M6N 2V7

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

TEEN-IN-RESIDENCE

November 2025 to June 2026

Biweekly 1-Hour Sessions:
Date and Time TBD with Teen-in-Residence
Online

&

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 playwrights
– 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.

Teens can apply online by clicking HERE or by filling out a hard copy of the application at select community organizations from October 2025. After the application deadline, select applicants will be chosen for an online interview.

Check out work from past Teen-in-Residences:

Isabella Aquino
Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024

Subha Azrin
Teen-in-Residence 2022/2023


THE FUTURE IN PROGRESS