CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
23.24 Canadian Stage RBC Apprentice Program  

Canadian Stage is one of the country’s leading not-for-profit contemporary performing arts organizations. An anchor organization in Toronto’s vibrant cultural scene, Canadian Stage is a home for new, challenging, dynamic art forms, as well as an incubator and exporter of cutting-edge contemporary and multidisciplinary performance. Recently, Canadian Stage announced its 23.24 season, a season filled with exciting work by leading artists celebrated around the world. In conjuncture with our upcoming season, we are thrilled to be announcing the RBC Apprentice Program 23.24. 

The RBC Apprentice Program provides five apprentices with the opportunity to improve their craft under professional artists' guidance. For this year's program, we will offer apprenticeships in the following areas: 

• Directing  
• Designing 
• Producing 

As part of this program, Canadian Stage offers early career artists and producers mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional resources.   

The Breakdown   

Canadian Stage is seeking applications from directors, designers, and producers for this year's RBC Apprentice Program intake.   

RBC Directing Apprenticeship   

• Two RBC Directing Apprenticeships are available for early career directors   
• One RBC Directing Apprentice will work on The Lehman Trilogy with director Philip Akin. It is expected that the Apprentice Director for The Lehman Trilogy will work full-time between October 9 and November 16, 2023   
• One RBC Directing Apprentice will work on The Inheritance with director Brendan Healy.  It is expected that the Apprentice Director for The Inheritance will work full-time between February 5- March 28, 2024   

RBC Producing Apprenticeship  

• Two RBC Producing Apprenticeships are available for early career producers to work with our Producer Lynanne Sparrow and Company Manager Laurie Merredew  
• One Apprentice will work with CS in fall 2023 (October - December) and one will work with CS in winter 2024 (January - April). It is possible for candidates who are producing to work either full-time or part-time, and there will be flexible start dates based on whether they work full time or part time  

RBC Design Apprenticeship  

• One RBC Design Apprenticeship is for an early career designer to work on The Inheritance   
• The Design Apprentice will indicate in their application their discipline focus in one of the following areas: lighting, set, costume OR sound   

The hours are based on the apprentice position and may include evenings, weekends, and prep. This time has been accounted for in the apprentice fee. Apprentices are expected to work 215 hours (about 5 weeks) total. Attendance at every rehearsal will not be expected of directors and designers. 

Please note there is no age limit for these apprenticeships. Ideal candidates are in the early stages of their career. This may include experienced artists who are at the beginning stages of their career in a new discipline or area of focus.   

Important Dates

This is a Paid Position

Total compensation for all roles: $5,000  

The Ideal Candidates:

• Must be Canadian Citizens or permanent residents
• Will be Toronto- or GTA-based for the duration of the apprenticeship period   
• Have recently graduated or have some experience in their selected discipline   

How to Apply:

To apply, please send a one-page cover letter and resume to submissions@canadianstage.com. In your cover letter, please provide a brief description of your professional experience, accomplishments, and why this apprenticeship would benefit you at this time.   

The subject line of your email should be in the following format: "RBC_Focus" (e.g. "RBC_Producer") 

For Design Apprentices, please indicate at the top of your cover letter which areas of focus you are interested in: Set, Lighting, Sound, or Costumes   

For Production Apprentices, please indicate whether you are applying to work full-time or part-time and whether you prefer Fall or Winter on your cover letter.   

Directing Apprentices should indicate at the top of their cover letter if they are applying for The Lehman Trilogy in the fall or The Inheritance in the winter.   

Application Process  

The applications will be reviewed by the Canadian Stage artistic staff (Brendan Healy - Artistic Director, Lynanne Sparrow – Producer, Jordan Laffrenier -- Associate Artistic Director, Qwyn MacLachlan – Education and Community Engagement Manager, Laurie Merredew – Company Manager.  Following the initial review, a short list of candidates will be contacted for interviews. All applicants will be contacted with the result of their application to the program.   

Accessibility Information

Canadian Stage encourages submissions from all individuals. We are committed to the practice of inclusion and diversification. We will make every effort to identify and remove any barriers to inclusion with regard to ethnicity, age, gender identity or expression, colour, disability, national origin, family or marital status, language, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other characteristics that make our communities and individuals unique.   

Canadian Stage will work to meet the accessibility needs of participants in the RBC Apprentice Program. If you have accessibility needs or require support with your application please contact Associate Artistic Jordan Laffrenier jlaffrenier@canadianstage.com