Are you a newcomer to the theatre who wants to try a bit of everything and see how you fit?
Are you looking for a theatrical experience to fill your summer months?
Have you done some theatre but always in the same kind of role, and you want to expand your horizons?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then KWLT has an opportunity for you…
The Popcorn Plays are back! Once a fixture of KWLT’s summer programming, the Popcorn Plays are a programme that combines a series of educational workshops with opportunities to participate in all aspects of a production: as director, actor, stage manager, and technician in a collection of ten-minute plays. The programme will kick off in early May.
Applications are now open!
The organizing team is now accepting applications for participants in the full programme. Participants will be expected to attend all of the core workshops and will take part in the Popcorn Plays Showcase in late August. The ideal applicant is enthusiastic and interested in learning about — and taking part in — all aspects of a theatrical production. Prior experience is not necessary; in fact the programme is geared towards relative newcomers.
You can fill out the application form here, and check out our FAQ for more information. We’ll be accepting applications through April 20th.
The Popcorn Plays Showcase
The heart of the Popcorn Plays experience is the showcase: each participant will select a ten-minute play to direct, with actors and crew selected from the other participants. Each participant will direct one show, stage manage another, and act in one or more other plays, as well as contributing to the general theatre tech in one capacity or another.
Plays will be selected in May, with rehearsals starting in June; rehearsal scheduling will be based on participants’ availability during June, July, and August. The showcase will go on stage around the last two weekends in August; participants should be available August 16–September 1 for build, tech, and the shows proper.
The Popcorn Plays Workshop Series
As part of the programme, KWLT will be hosting a series of workshops exploring different theatrical skills. Most of these will be open to the broader community as well as the Popcorn Plays participants — we’ll have more information about registration soon.
The Core Workshops
These are workshops that are central to the Popcorn Plays experience, and all participants are expected to attend them.
- Intro to stage lighting: Wednesday May 28, evening
- Intro to acting: Tuesday June 3, evening
- Intro to directing: Tuesday June 17, evening
- Intro to sound design: Sunday July 20, evening
- Intro to stage management: TBA
The “Popcorn Plus” Workshops
These are additional workshops that cover other aspects of the theatre, including some that provide more a deep dive. The Plus series will extend into the autumn of 2025, and we’ll update this list as more are scheduled. Popcorn Play participants will have automatic registration to these workshops, but these are not considered mandatory.
- Costuming: Saturday and Sunday July 12–13, daytime
The Popcorn Plays Programme is supported by the Arts Grant Fund and the Motz Family Endowment, both held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation. KWLT is grateful for their support!
