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

Teen-in-Residence

THE FUTURE IN PROGRESS

TEEN-IN-RESIDENCE

Pictured (L-R): Alten Wilmot, Isabella Aquino (Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024), Madeleine Brown
Photo Credit: Will Innes

November 2024 to June 2025

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

&

Workshop and Staged Reading:
Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8, 2025
10am to 6pm
Theatre Direct Studio H
(1 Wiltshire Ave., Unit H, Toronto)

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 bi-weekly sessions to learn about the practice and industry of playwriting and receive mentorship 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 fourth year, this program has supported three past Teens-in-Residence, resulting in three new plays with three public performances and one short film adaptation! 

All levels of experience are welcome. Commission paid to Teen-in-Residence.

Be our fourth Teen-in-Residence to be a part of:
– 1 x 8-month residency facilitated by two professional playwrights
– Playwriting exercises and mentorship to support and build on how you already approach writing
– Bi-weekly online sessions to support your chosen goals and deadlines
– Opportunities to network and meet professional artists
– 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

The program is by application and interview.
Applications are now closed and will reopen for the next iteration in fall 2025.

Check out work from past Teen-in-Residences:

Isabella Aquino
Teen-in-Residence 2023/2024

Subha Azrin
Teen-in-Residence 2022/2023