Calling all emerging directors, we have a workshop just for you!
QDF’s Director’s Intensive will provide an intensive training on the multi faceted aspects of being a theatre director and about the various preparatory stages of production. These emerging directors will have the opportunity to grow together over the course of 4 sessions throughout January. Each participant will receive a different scene from the same play and have the chance to envision an interpretation unique to their artistic vision.
Emerging directors will be selected through a small application process. We are specifically looking to welcome artists who identify as Equity Priority (ie. Indigenous, Black, Artist of Colour, Disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, Neuro Divergent, etc.).
“Formal training” for directing is often behind the very heavy pay wall of institutions, like universities or conservatories, and we are trying to provide meaningful opportunities to help folks move forward in their career and exploration of directing.
Aspects that will be explored include:
Pre-production prep
Pre-rehearsal prep
Text Analysis for the director
Articulating vision
Collaborating with designers
Working with actors
Please note: this workshop has a registration fee of 80$ (can be paid in two instalments prior to the workshop upon request).
apply below!
How to register
To apply to QDF’s Director’s Intensive, please submit the following:
Registration Form
You artistic CV
A Letter of Intent
What is a letter of intent?
In this particular case, your letter of intent should be a summary/introduction of who you are as an artist and how this workshop can contribute to your development as an emerging director.
If you are looking for some inspiration to get started, here are some guiding questions you could choose to answer:
What elements of directing are you passionate about?
What would you like to acheive/what is your artistic vision as a director?
What has your artist journey been so far?
How does your personal identity/identities influence your work?
Why do you want to take this workshop?
All submissions MUST be received by monday, december 2.
If you require an alternate form of submission (i.e. video or audio format) please contact membership@quebecdrama.org and we will accommodate you.
Please note:
There are 5 spots available for this workshop. We thank everyone for their interest! Due to the high volume of submissions, we will unfortunately not be providing feedback on applications.
Meet Our Workshop Facilitator
murdoch schon
Murdoch is a queer, nonbinary, director, and digital innovator. They are currently preoccupied with provocation, vulnerability, and the role of care practices in art making.
They are a graduate of the Nation Theatre School Directing Program, and have a BFA, Specialization in Theatre and Development, from Concordia University.
Other directing credits include: Boys Girls and Other Mythological Creatures (Theatre Orangeville); Queen Maeve (Here for Now); Counter Offence (Teesri Duniya) The Maydee Box and Haven (FOLDA).
workshop breakdown
Session 1: Text Analysis and Table Work (3hrs) - January 11, 2025
All directors will read through the selected play and be assigned their individual scenes to creatively tackle. Our facilitator will give insights on ways to approach a piece and the value of table work.
Session 2: Communicating Vision (2.5hrs) - January 18, 2025
With the support of their cohort and facilitator, directors will have the opportunity to share and receive feedback on their concept of their assigned scene, getting a chance to learn how to articulate vision.
Session 3: Collaborating with Designers (4hrs) - January 25, 2o25
Directors move to the next phase of making their vision reality by chatting one on one with a professional set designer about their vision and working together to elevate their ideas and finding creative solutions.
Session 4: Working with Actors (9hrs) - February 1, 2025
Directors hit the studio with two professional actors for the opportunity to communicate and play, seeing their text come to life. The facilitator will be present to share gentle feedback throughout, and other directors are invited to watch and learn from one another.
Session 5: Collective Post Mortem (1.5hrs) - February 8, 2025
Directors come together with their facilitator one last time to discuss the experience, some key takeaways and new inspirations for their artistic future.