Submissions for the Mainstage Assistant Director Program are currently closed. Details about opportunities for the 2025/26 season will be available in the spring.
THE PROGRAM
This is a unique program that is built in collaboration with the selected artists involved, the Mainstage directors they will be working with as well as with Mieko Ouchi, Associate Artistic Director, who will support this program and these artists as Mentor.
Opportunities will include:
- 1-on-1 mentorship with Mieko Ouchi and the Mainstage director;
- Access to and participation in rehearsals for your Mainstage production;
- hands-on creative apprenticeships on your Mainstage production;
- tours of the building and facilities and conversations with Citadel staff throughout the season;
- invitations to opening night events;
- Artist profile on the Citadel Theatre website with amplification on our social media feeds;
Artists will receive a $3000 honorarium as part of the program, except for the Assistant Director on A Christmas Carol who will receive a $4000 honorarium. We are not able to cover travel or accommodation expenses. In the first half of the 2024/25 Season we have three different opportunities which applicants can apply for. Please read each description and call carefully. Assistant Director opportunities in the second half of our 2024/25 Season will be announced at a later date.
PRODUCTION 1: The Play That Goes Wrong
By Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer
Synopsis: The Cornley Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does! The accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!
This production will be directed by Dennis Garnhum in the Shoctor Theatre. The production originates at the Citadel and is produced in Association with Theatre Calgary and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. PLEASE NOTE: The Assistant Director will not be travelling to other cities with this production.
Rehearsal Starts – June 11, 2024
First Preview – July 6, 2024
Opening – July 11, 2024
Production 2: A Streetcar Named Desire
By Tennessee Williams
Synopsis: After losing her Mississippi home to creditors, Blanche duBois relocates to the home of her younger sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski. Unable to cope with life’s harsh realities, Blanche’s world collapses, as Stanley stalks closer to exposing the truth.
This production will be directed by Daryl Cloran in the Shoctor Theatre. The production originates at the Citadl and is produced in Association with Theatre Calgary. PLEASE NOTE: The Assistant Director will not be travelling to Calgary with this production.
Rehearsal Starts – August 27, 2024
First Preview – September 21, 2024
Opening – September 26, 2024
PRODUCTION 3: A Christmas Carol
By David van Belle
Synopsis: David van Belle’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic returns to the Citadel! Ebenezer Scrooge has been given just one night to redeem himself but will the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help him overcome a lifetime of indifference before all hope is lost? Transport yourself to the mid-1950s with nostalgic songs like I’ll be Home For Christmas and White Christmas and experience the magic of the season.
This remount production will be directed by Lianna Makuch in the MacLab Theatre. Originally directed by Daryl Cloran.
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a hands-on role, this production requires a more experienced Assistant Director. The Assistant Director will be in charge of the youth company and understudies. The artist taking on this role will receive a $4000 honorarium.
Rehearsal Starts – November 8, 2024
First Preview – November 23, 2024
Opening – November 28, 2024
PROPOSALS
We invite applications from artists who would like to explore and build their professional skills in directing. We are looking for applicants who are based in Edmonton, and who have experience in directing multiple full-length plays or musicals, have demonstrated skill in this area and who are looking to build even more sophisticated tools. Previous participants in the Assistant Director program are welcome to apply again, but should identify what new skills they hope to acquire from this assistantship and why this opportunity will be different from the past one.
As one of the largest cultural organizations in Alberta, Citadel Theatre commits to dismantling the systemic racism in Canadian theatre practice. This includes making space for those that have not been given the opportunity to create and thrive in rehearsal halls and theatres across the country. We also strive to provide an opportunity for emerging, early career and even established artists to make the leap from smaller independent projects to learning the skills required to direct large productions at a regional theatre.
Proposals should be a maximum of four pages, and should include:
- A biography or résumé;
- A letter outlining:
- Which production, or productions the applicant would like to be considered for and why;
- Practical skills the applicant hopes to learn, build upon and augment during the production or productions (keep in mind each opportunity is unique);
- Areas and topics that the applicant hope to build knowledge in from mentorship;
- Skills the applicant can bring to the production;
- Why this program is a good fit for you at this point in your career;
- A rough schedule/sense of the applicant’s availability.
EQUITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home of the First Nations, including both the treaty signatories – Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis, who occupied this land. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.
The Citadel Theatre is in the heart of amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, AB), and we are proud to call Treaty 6 Territory home. As a regional theatre, it is integral that we ensure that the stories we tell, as well as the composition of our artists, board, staff, students and audience are reflective of the diverse lived experiences in this dynamic city. We strongly encourage submissions from artists who self-identify as members of under-represented communities. If there are barriers (language, disability or any other consideration) about the process preventing you from submitting, please let us know and we will work with you to overcome them.
For more on Citadel Theatre’s Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity work, including our 35//50 commitment, statements of support, annual diversity reports, CAEA Declared Actions Regarding Anti-Oppression and Inclusion, and other information, please visit our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion page on our website.
Please email Associate Artistic Director Mieko Ouchi, mouchi(at)citadeltheatre.com, with any questions.
SAFE WORKPLACE CULTURE
Citadel Theatre commits to providing a welcoming and safe experience for all artists, including clear workplace harassment policies. In situations where cultural safety and knowledge is needed as part of facilitating conversation, Citadel commits to working with third-party affinity counsel.
SUBMISSION
Citadel Theatre is accepting proposals for the Mainstage Assistant Director Program until Tuesday April 2, 2024 Please submit a proposal of up to four pages (PDF format) to: mouchi(at)citadeltheatre.com, Subject: Mainstage Assistant Director Program.
SELECTION
Artists will be selected by a panel of Citadel Theatre staff, including:
Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director
Mieko Ouchi, Associate Artistic Director
Kristi Hansen, Artistic Associate
In consultation with the Director of each Mainstage Production.
There may be interviews requested with the Director of each Mainstage Production. All applicants will be informed of results via email by Friday April 19, 2024.