Concrete Theatre is seeking applications for our annual Sprouts New Play Festival for Kids!
Established in 2002, the Sprouts Festival was created to expand the pool of new Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) scripts that specifically promote cultural diversity, to develop new playwrights who are interested in writing for young audiences, and to develop a stable of short scripts that could grow into full length touring and mainstage productions for Concrete Theatre. Since then, we’ve produced more than 80 new play readings for Sprouts and from that pool have developed a dozen full-length scripts.
This year, we are seeking three Edmonton-based playwrights who are interested in delving into the world of Theatre for Young Audiences. We are seeking three playwrights to join a writing cohort from December 2024 – June 2025. Participants will be expected to write a 10-15 minute 3-actor script for the Sprouts Festival in June of 2025. Participants will have access to dramaturgical support from Concrete Theatre’s Artistic Director Jenna Rodgers, receive a half day workshop for their script in May 2025, and a staged reading of their script with ASL Interpretation at the 2025 Sprouts Festival (June 13 & 14, 2025). No previous playwriting experience is required to apply.
Participants will receive $800 for their work, – $400 upon starting the program, $75 for a half day workshop of their script, and $325 for the completion of their draft for the Sprouts Festival.
To apply for this opportunity please send us the following by October 11, 2024:
- A 1-2 page letter of intent OR 5-minute video telling us about:
- Yourself,
- Outlining your interest in the program, and
- Introducing us to the idea or story you’d like to explore
- Your up-to-date CV
- Send completed applications to Heather Cornick, Bookings Coordinator (bookings@concretetheatre.ca) by October 11th @ 11:59pm MDT
Applications will be assessed internally and adjudicated based with a lens to Concrete Theatre’s mission to “create work that is culturally diverse and inclusive, and that explores issues relevant to the lives of young people and their families”.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Jenna Rodgers, Artistic Director at jenna@concretetheatre.ca
Worried that your child is too young to enjoy a play? Fear no more!
Introduce your children to live theatre through an engaging and gentle first theatre experience. The plays can be enjoyed by children as young as 18 months to 12 years old. Babes in arms are also warmly welcomed.
Each year Sprouts returns with a fresh crop of 3 brand new short plays for kids and their families! Playwrights from diverse cultural backgrounds share their newest works in staged readings.
While the actors have scripts-in-hand for the staged readings, the productions are fully realized with set, costume, prop and lighting elements, in addition to live sound accompaniment and playback.
Sprouts New Play Festival is currently a 2-day event with school shows playing on the Friday and public shows on Saturday. Join us in the lobby before the show for arts activities for kids.