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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. 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


THE FUTURE IN PROGRESS