Innovative. Inclusive. International.

The emphasis of new Play Development at the Citadel is on innovative ideas, including large-vision projects, work that challenges the traditional actor-audience relationship, and dynamic collisions of different artistic mediums. We strive to be inclusive, reflecting the diversity of our communities and featuring a breadth of new stories, voices, and perspectives. Our vision is international. We are exploring partnerships and sharing across Canada and the globe while retaining an emphasis on Edmonton-based artists and stories – placing them in the international spotlight.  Over the last decade, the Citadel has developed and produced 12 World Premieres, many of whom have been subsequently produced elsewhere, taking the name of the Citadel and Edmonton around the world.

Our multi-faceted approach to the play-development process involves working with playwright/creators to catalyze their process and bring the component parts together. This includes:

COMMISSIONS

We seek out promising new voices and exciting established playwrights to engage in writing specifically intended for Edmonton audiences and the Citadel stages. This includes a mix of local, national and international playwrights.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIONS

We work to partner with artists and companies from across the globe, supporting the development of new commercial projects, and fostering exciting collaborations on genre-defying large-scale work. These unique international partnerships bring new experiences to our audiences and bring the work of our company and Edmonton artists to the world.

WORKSHOPS & READINGS

The Citadel provides opportunities for theatre-makers to develop their projects with professional artists in a laboratory setting. Whenever possible our audience is engaged in the development process through public readings at Collider or unique workshop presentation showcases – all vital steps where the public enables creators to discover the project anew through their responses.

THE LABS

Our Labs are places for theatrical experimentation and collegial learning, bringing playwrights together over the course of the theatre season to work on large scale individual projects, and dramaturgs together to expand their knowledge and understanding of how they can support this kind of large-scale work. Both focus on creating and supporting innovative projects that speak to a wide audience and reflect a diverse approach.

The goal of the Labs is to support new works as they navigate their paths to World Premieres at the Citadel and elsewhere and to build capacity and skills in local writers and dramaturgs.

COLLIDER FESTIVAL

Collider is an annual new play development festival that celebrates and helps bring to life new stories and scripts for larger stages, that hosts hands on workshops on writing and creates opportunities to connect with artists and audiences invested in the next generation of plays and storytellers, showcasing a mix of local artists and artists from across the country and beyond.