Call for Submissions

Ruby Slippers Theatre in partnership with the Vancouver Fringe Festival and Playwrights Guild of Canada proudly present:

ADVANCE THEATRE FESTIVAL: 2019
According to a national study, in the Canadian theatre industry women/gender queer/femme spectrum/non binary individuals account for 34% of the working directors, and 27% of the produced playwrights. These numbers are even lower if you look specifically at the large regional theatres and summer festivals. And the numbers plummet further when you factor in diversity such as cultural background, age, and physical/mental ability.

So as a direct response to the gross under representation of women/gender queer/femme spectrum/non binary individuals in the role of playwright and director, and to further diversity in Canadian theatre, the Advance Theatre Festival was born. Advance Theatre showcases dramatic readings of five new plays written and directed by diverse Canadian women/gender queer/femme spectrum/non binary artists. These readings take place over five days during the Vancouver Fringe Festival, in September 2019.

Advance Theatre: New Works
Advance Theatre: New Works by Diverse Women in partnership with the Vancouver Fringe Festival and Playwrights Guild of Canada Playwrights from our 2017/18 & 2018/19 Seasons (L-R) Natalie Meisner, Loretta Seto, Marcia Johnson, Suvendrini Lena, Lillian Nakamura Maguire.

If you are a playwright and your play is chosen to participate in the Advance Theatre Festival, Ruby Slippers Theatre and the Fringe Festival will cover the costs of all rehearsals prior to the day of the reading, your technical rehearsal, promotion, theatrical venue on Granville Island, and all artists’ fees. If you are a director who wishes to participate, send us your resume and cover letter for consideration.

Playwrights: please send your play synopsis, brief bio, and a maximum ten page script excerpt to diane@rubyslippers.ca by February 15, 2019. One submission per person please. Successful candidates will be notified by May 30, 2019. This is a curated process. Priority will be given to diversity.