Directors Lab

This program is supported by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

Applications for this program are now closed

About

The 25/26 Directors Lab is for dreamers, space-holders, world-makers and creative leaders wanting to start or grow their directing practice. Throughout this five month lab, artists will receive mentorship, and participate in workshops and labs with a professional director. This year’s program artists will choose a play written by an emerging writer as the focus of their learning, with the opportunity to have an excerpt of their work-in-process shared at the festival. We will accept two artists that will co-create – with the facilitator – a path of growth that supports their journey in creative collaboration and world-building. Workshops and labs will be responsive to the artists’ needs, and are a chance for experimentation with emergent directorial approaches and practices.

We encourage those who do not have formal theatre training to apply and especially invite newcomer, refugee, immigrant, and QTBIPOC communities to feel empowered to also apply.

Commitment

Approximate time commitment: 15-20 hours per month in group sessions and training days, with additional work done outside of program meetings.

Attend two Directors Lab group meetings per month on Mondays between January 12 – April 20, 2026 (some meetings will be in person in downtown Toronto, and some will be online)
Attend agreed-upon meetings with mentors and your facilitator
Attend in-person attendance to company-wide training days in 2026 (January 11, January 25 online session, February 8, February 22, March 16, April 19, May date TBD)
Select a play from the Paprika Play Bank to work on for the 2026 Paprika Festival
Independently cast and rehearse your play (Paprika provides a budget, some free rehearsal space, and support as you go through this process – see the section below)
Hire production and creative team members as desired to bring your excerpt to life for the 2026 Festival
Collaborate with a Design Lab artist as they projection design for your piece for the 2026 Paprika Festival – this will include meeting with the Designer, inviting them to rehearsals, and communicating your ideas, all with support from mentors and your Facilitator
Attend your project’s tech day during the Festival Tech week (one four-hour session between May 4-10, 2026 – exact date TBD)
Attend your project’s showcase during the Festival week (Two performances between May 12-17, 2026 – exact date TBD)

Support You Receive

$1,750 honorarium
10 hours of mentorship from the professional of your choice
A $2,300 budget to hire actors, designers, and collaborators and bring your Festival presentation to life
Paprika covers the licensing fee paid to the playwright of the work you choose to direct for the Festival
Up to 25 hours of free rehearsal space
7 company-wide training days where you will learn from professional artists about topics such as accessibility, marketing and communication, pitching your work, networking, and more
Tech and a public staged reading in a professional theatre venue
Promotion of your project on Paprika’s social media and marketing materials
A section in the Festival Program and a professional headshot
Technical guidance and training for your team before moving into the theatre venue
The support of a Venue Technician, Production Manager, Lighting Designer, Assistant Festival Stage Manager, as well as Box Office, Front of House, and Festival Staff
Professional archival photography and videography of your Festival presentation
Access to free tickets to theatre productions across the city (and beyond!)

Eligibilty

The Directors Lab program is open to emerging artists who are 18+. There is no age limit to apply! Artists must be eligible to work in Canada.

This program was designed for artists under 30, however, we recognize that emerging artists can be any age. We invite folks over 30 who are new to their craft to apply.

We highly encourage and will prioritize applicants who are from equity-seeking groups — including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Non-binary, Queer, Fat, Disabled, Mad, Neurodivergent, low income, and intersections of those identities.  We will also be prioritizing applicants who have not received formal training in the program’s main discipline.

Location

📍Toronto/ Online

Health and Safety

The health and safety of artists, facilitators, and staff is our greatest priority. We encourage all Paprika artists, staff, facilitators and guest artists to maintain regular vaccinations, including additional doses/boosters. Masking will be required for all full-company meetings, and during group sessions, masking will be discussed and decided upon by each program. Paprika will continue to provide KN95 or N95 face masks (or equivalent) upon request. Masking will be required throughout Paprika’s tech week in May 2026.

Accessibility

Paprika seeks to lower barriers for all its programs. This year, we are offering transportation support when requested, food and snacks at program events, as well as a $1,750 artist honorarium.

Company-wide Training Days take place in venues accessible to folks using mobility devices, with some venues requiring assistance to use the elevator. The Paprika Festival tech and performances will take place at Native Earth Performing Arts’ Aki Studio, which is fully physically accessible for artists and audiences.

Paprika advocates for gender inclusive washrooms, and will negotiate for gender inclusive washroom signage whenever possible. We use and respect people’s pronouns. Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2SIA+, Women, Trans, Non-Binary, Newcomer, Immigrant, Fat, Mad, and Neurodiverse people are welcome.

Internet access and a smartphone, tablet, and/or computer are required for participation in Paprika’s programs. Our programs are not accessible to Deaf or Blind artists at this time. Group meetings can be recorded and shared internally to accommodate schedule conflicts and emergencies with prior notice to program facilitators and Paprika staff.

Directors Lab in-person meetings are held at the following locations:

Factory Theatre: Wheelchair accessible with gender neutral bathroom
Buddies in Bad Times Cabaret Space: Wheelchair accessible with gender neutral bathroom

For questions and comments about Paprika’s accessibility plan, please reach out to Amanda at amanda@paprikafestival.com.

Application Support

We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about Paprika programs and answered them here!

We’re happy to arrange an application process that’s best for you. If you have any questions, require additional support or an extension, please email Amanda (amanda@paprikafestival.com). We will try our best to respond to emails within 48 hours.

Click here to view the application questions in a separate document. Note that this is not the application form, but a way to preview the questions!

Applications for this program are now closed