QUEER & TRANS PLAYWRIGHTS UNIT 26/27

Applications Now Open - Due October 16th

Verb Theatre is looking for theatre artists who identify as being part of the queer and/or trans communities to join our third annual Playwrights Unit!

WHAT IS THE Q&TPWU?

Since 2024, Verb has been hosting the Queer & Trans Playwrights Unit - a space where queer and trans writers are supported over the course of a season and are given the opportunity to work alongside each other while being paired with one professional mentor. This unit is intended to give queer and trans writers the rare opportunity to grow their craft alongside each other while being unabashedly themselves.

ABOUT THE UNIT

Successful applicants will spend the season meeting once a month to discuss writing, share work, and make connections within a queer space. 

Playwrights will receive a $2000.00 honourarium for participating.

Schedule (for monthly meetings):
*unless otherwise indicated, all meetings will be held in-person, 7-9PM at cSPACE Marda Loop.
November 9th 
December 14 (virtual)
January 18
February 22
March 15
April 19
May 17

The unit will culminate in a public sharing of script work developed over the 8 months, and playwrights will receive workshop time with professional actors in advance of the presentations on June 18th and 19th, 2027. In addition to engaging in peer feedback and support, playwrights will work closely with two queer mentors from the Calgary theatre community, with dedicated access to one mentor, who will also serve as dramaturg.

Beyond those with playwriting experience, we welcome applications from all artists working under the banner of theatre who are interested in developing a specific piece of dramatic writing.

We are only able to consider artists who are local to Mohkinstsis/Calgary/surrounding area as we cannot offer accommodation or travel at this time.

Application Deadline: October 16, 2026 11:59PM