calling all creatives: the solo show of your dreams is waiting.
what is this?
Tiny Bear Jaws is stoked to announce our inaugural SOLO SHOW CREATION LAB, led by solo creator Elena (or Eli) Belyea (she/they) and taking place in Edmonton, AB at Fringe Theatre this upcoming May 15-26 2023.
This intensive 2-week workshop will lead a brave and boundary-breaking cohort through structured prompts, exercises, and activities to help germinate the seeds of a new piece. This intensive will run Monday to Friday and take place from 10-5PM, featuring a small public sharing of our works-in-process on the final day.
We’re also partnering with a local filmmaker + photographer, so participants will leave this intensive with PROMO PHOTOS and ARCHIVAL VIDEO of an excerpt of their piece to use for future promotions and applying for funding opportunities.
Elena Belyea in “White Night” at the 2014 Found Festival. Photo credit: Michael Kuby.
is this workshop for me?
Very likely, yes!
Maybe you’re an actor/comedian/designer/dancer/musician/filmmaker/artist, interested in creating work that showcases you as a performer
Maybe you’re eager to make work that reflects your lived experience
Maybe you’re a playwright or storyteller who wants to create a solo show for someone else to perform
Maybe you’ve been making theatre for years, and want to try something new
Maybe you need an excuse to carve out some time to bring your dream project to fruition
Maybe you’ve got something in the archives you want to unearth and dig back into
Whatever your motivation, this intensive will be an opportunity to explore with the support of experienced artists and theatre makers.
who's running it?
This lab will be facilitated by solo show writer and performer Elena Belyea (graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada's Playwriting program, winner of Montreal Fringe’s “Best English Production” + “Best English New Text” Award in 2015 for “Miss Katelyn’s Grade Threes Prepare for the Inevitable” and creator of “I Don’t Even Miss You” which premiered as part of the Common Ground Arts Society's 2022 RISER Edmonton) with support from Stage Manager, Producer, and Found Festival’s 2022-2023 Fresh AiR Artist Steven Sobolewski. This process-based intensive will be an opportunity for folks to nurture a new ideas and receive feedback through consent-based feedback processes.
why are you doing this?
"My first year out of theatre school, touring my solo show Miss Katelyn's Grade Threes Prepare for the Inevitable was how I made my living. It allowed me to travel, introduce myself and my work to audiences and artistic directors across the country, generate future work opportunities, and gain confidence as a writer and performer. I learned I don't have to wait around for someone else to write the characters I want to play-- I can bring them to life myself. My hope is that this workshop will give other artists the tools to feel empowered to develop their own work, in whatever ways works best for them." - Elena Belyea
Elena Belyea in “I Don’t Even Miss You” at RISER Edmonton in 2022.
the nitty gritty
COST: $950 + GST. (The bulk of this will go towards craft materials, as well as paying Elena and Steven, as well as our videographer and photographer a living wage. We’re happy to provide letter of confirmation and support to granting bodies, if you’re interested in applying to help cover this cost).
VENUE: Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, Edmonton, Alberta.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: In order to ensure each individual and project gets the attention it deserves, space for this workshop is extremely limited. If you're interested in registering, fill out the following Google Form (https://forms.gle/fpxRAccsRtWy2r9aA) so we can hear a bit about who you are. Once we've learned everything we need to know, we’ll send along more info about how to submit your $150 deposit (your spot will not be secured until we receive this deposit!).
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS/HOPES/DREAMS: E-mail Elena now at tinybearjaws@gmail.com!
about tiny bear jaws
Founded in 2015, Tiny Bear Jaws is an agile, femme and queer-run cross-Canadian theatre company. We produce innovative, provocative, and engaging new works. We’re passionate about learning more about implementing alternatives to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and anti-hierarchical organizational structures. We’re committed to engaging meaningfully with the communities with whom we share our work and providing hands-on mentorship opportunities for historically under-represented emerging artists.
find out more / reach out:
www.tinybearjaws.com
@tinybearjaws@gmail.com
@tinybearjaws on instagram, facebook, and twitter