STAGE IT PROGRAM

STAGE IT PROGRAM

STAGE IT is a program focused on emerging theatre artists who want to develop themselves as creator-producers. We define a creator-producer as someone who would like to produce work that they also perform, direct, design or write/devise. STAGE IT offers mentorship, peer to peer learning and guest artist master classes to a small group of participants. It also offers participants the opportunity to stage their piece at Downstage’s STAGE IT Festival!

PLEASE NOTE: the next stage it cohort will be chosen leading up to our 2025-26 season. Applications will be available online as of July 2025. If you have questions about the program before that time, please contact producer Bianca Miranda at bianca@downstage.ca

TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST STAGE IT PARTICIPANTS

“Being part of the Stage-It Program was a dream. Working along side Downstage's team, I felt so supported and welcomed as an emerging artist. The Stage-It Program has helped shaped me into a better artist and producer. The team is super supportive and was willing to help us no matter what. They truly believe in the art we created and it's lovely being in an environment where you feel cared for and respected. I think that this program has helped and will continue to help emerging artists find footing in the community, and find confidence in their art.” ~ Keith Boniol (he/him)

“Downstage's Stage It Program was integral to mine and my co-collaborator's growth as a creator/producer duo. The Stage It Festival provided us with an opportunity to showcase our work and make valuable connections within the Calgary theatre community, and the mentorship and guidance offered to us by the team at Downstage leading up to the festival was unparalleled. I have genuinely never felt so creatively supported. Being connected with mentors, having access to free workshops, and having the support of Downstage throughout our journey as emerging producers was an experience that I am incredibly grateful for and one that I have learned a lot from. The Stage It Program was EVERYTHING in helping me and my duo partner to level up in our craft.” ~ Islay McKechnie  

“The Stage It program has been an invaluable experience to my artistic growth, and I could not be more grateful that opportunities like these exist in our city. Our team of emerging artists received the chance to experience multiple areas of the play development and production through this process, which would not be readily available to us apart from this program. The Downstage team made us feel both incredibly supported and encouraged, and this experience granted us years’ worth of education in the arts industry.” ~ Stephanie Alexandre

“Downstage's Stage It program is a fantastic chance for emerging artists to further their craft. The Downstage team is such a lovely group of inspiring people to work with. The opportunities as well as the relationships that I was able to build throughout the season are invaluable. There is so much space and generosity in this program, I've had so much support to grow, learn, and try new things. This program is a hidden gem that is shaping the future of Calgary's theatre scene." ~ Maezy Reign Dennie

“I am so grateful for my time in the Stage It program. The Downstage team is incredibly supportive and encouraging. They played a crucial part in helping Dana and I take Good Grief! from dreams all the way to a podplay and beyond. Not only is the program a great place for emerging artists to find their voice and explore their creative practice, it’s also an opportunity to really understand what it takes to produce a show. It’s a great way to learn by doing. I hold so much appreciation for all of the incredible artists I got the chance to learn from and work with throughout the program, and for the many lasting relationships that came out of it. Downstage Theatre knows that emerging artists have something to say, and by giving us the space and resources to say it, we are heard in a new way.” ~ Rosemary Morrison

"The Stage It program is exactly what emerging artists need. As an artist with acting training, I had previously felt like I didn’t have the resources or knowledge to diversify my practice, and this program gave me the tools I needed to succeed. As a playwright and producer, Downstage embraced my changing desires through the pandemic that led to a large-scale project that evolved within the context of COVID-19. With hiring over 14 artists, managing multiple grants and writing my first one act play, the Downstage staff ensured quantitative and qualitative success through their resource sharing, cross-country connections and honest way of working. Downstage showed me that some of the most rewarding work can happen when companies allow for change and flexibility and take the time to build trust with artists. My time in the Stage It program was some of the most rewarding times of my artistic career so far and I hope that artists can dare to explore - this is the place for it!" ~ Kiana Wu