New Play Actor Training 2026
Banff CentreAbout This Opportunity
“Developing and implementing skills needed to meaningfully workshop new theatre, including text analysis, cold reading techniques, and providing feedback to creators.”
New Play Actor Training provides an opportunity for actors to develop and implement the skills needed to meaningfully workshop new theatre. Participants will engage with a diverse list of texts at various stages of development under the tutelage of guest directors and playwrights. Actors will work on text analysis, be provided with a technical toolkit to assist with cold reading, and practice providing articulate and helpful feedback to creators.
Actors can spend a large portion of their careers workshopping and acting in premieres, but there is very little training specifically for this practice. This program offers early career and established performers the opportunity to explore new plays, alongside lectures, Q & As, coaching's, and on your feet practical application in the skills directors and playwrights look for when working with actors. Participants will receive:
- Mentorship with leading playwrights and directors and dramaturges.
- Daily warmups and rehearsals in studio.
- Hands on practical work on new plays.
- Q and A's and seminars with those experienced in the field.
Eligibility & Requirements
Career Stage
Geographic Eligibility
Disciplines
Applicant Type
Individual artists only
Additional Requirements
Actors at any stage of their careers, ideally with some training in a post-secondary training environment, and some experience in a rehearsal room.
Note
Actors at any stage of their careers, ideally with some training in a post-secondary training environment, and some experience in a rehearsal room. Open to artists based anywhere in the world.
Compensation & Benefits
Overview
Artist stipend and travel/material stipends available. Banff Centre Arts Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and 25% of meal plan and accommodation. Canadian Indigenous Scholarship covers 100% of tuition, meal plan and accommodation. Total fee before scholarships: $3,888.15 CAD; total after scholarship: $1,841.18 CAD.
What's Provided
Housing Provided
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus. Partially accessible (50% or more).
Travel Support
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends available as noted in application information
Studio Access
Performance/Presentation Facilities, Theater. Partially accessible (50% or more).
Accessibility
Accessible housing and studios/facilities. Partially accessible (50% or more). Medical information and accessibility statement available at https://www.banffcentre.ca/medical-information
