Chief Jacob Bearspaw School

All-21, FNMI-21, Leadership-21
January 22, 2025

Traditional First Nations Leaders in our Current World

MAY 16-20 | EDEN VALLEY

We plan to have Trickster Theatre’s Residency program out to engage our students in different and innovative ways of approaching our theme of Traditional First Nations Leaders in our Current World. The program will begin before Trickster Theatre even arrives with school and class wide initiatives to promote the traits that make a good leader; learning about how Chief and Council, voting, and band systems work; as well as learning about First Nations leaders in different roles. Students will then work with a Trickster artist during the week of the residency to create a piece about leadership. This process culminates with each class performing their own original pieces based off of the oral and written history, work with elders, the culture teacher, their work in core classes, and work with Trickster Theatre. Every student will be involved in the final performance at the end of the week. We will be inviting our parents and families to watch this performance, and will also be inviting other community performers, such as dancers and drummers, to take the stage with us.

150 Students Participating

Funding Available

What can happen in a week? At Trickster Theatre, quite a lot. When our artists arrive at a school for a residency, we begin with an empty stage and a room full of imagination. Students start by exploring a theme—sometimes something playful like dreams or winter, sometimes something rooted in their school values such as kindness, curiosity, perseverance, or integrity. Through games, brainstorming, and movement, ideas quickly grow into characters, scenes, and stories that belong entirely to the students.

Over the course of five days, classrooms transform into creative studios. Students collaborate to write scripts, choreograph movement, design simple props, and experiment with sound and music. Our artists guide the process with theatre tools and rehearsal techniques, but the creative choices come from the students themselves. Each class contributes its own piece, and by the end of the week these pieces come together into a vibrant performance that reflects the voices, humour, and imagination of the entire school.

These residencies are made possible thanks to the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Their commitment helps bring professional artists into schools and gives students the chance to experience the creative process firsthand. The final performance is always a celebration—but the real magic is the confidence, collaboration, and creativity that students discover along the way. Funding applications for this program are due May 1.

We help schools apply for funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The deadline is May 1 for residencies in 2026-27. Up to $15,000 per school is possible.

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New Funding Opportunity

Would your school like to create an original show? Trickster Theatre is applying for HeritageThree day residencies now available!

Would your school like to create an original show?

Trickster Theatre is applying for Heritage Canada funding to partner with up to 20 schools in creating shows that explore one of these themes:

The Canadian Landscape

Students in Service to Our Communities

Each week-long residency engages up to 500 students to build a unique physical theatre production. Every class chooses its own story — from biologists in the Arctic, hikers on mountain trails, or artists painting northern skies, to students creating recycling programs, helping newcomers, rescuing wildlife and so many more stories!

Together, these stories become a vibrant celebration of Canada told in Trickster’s award-winning physical theatre style — used in over 1,400 residencies across Alberta for the past 35 years!

Because you showed interested in having a Trickster Theatre residency at your school, we are offering you the opportunity to only pay around half of the regular the price.

To participate in this offer, you only need to:

Submit a 1-page letter of intent by November 10, 2025
Agree to apply for AFA funding by May 1, 2026 (with our help!)

The AFA funding approval rate is about 50%, so schools will have a chance at this funding and if not successful at the AFA, the Heritage funding would be used to subsidize the residency. (Schools would not get funding from both sources). The percentage that the schools would pay is based on the AFA guidelines. Ideally, the school contribution will be 50% for Edmonton and Calgary schools, depending on the application being successful.

Let’s celebrate Canada — one story, one school at a time!

If you are interested in participating, fill out some details of your school and we will get back to you with the full proposal!

SCHOOL DETAILS

Still not sure what Trickster is all about? View the slideshow below!

SLIDESHOW!

This is no ordinary School Performance!

We supply lights, sound, curtains, props costumes
and we work with professional artists!

Sponsor Leadership

Your logo could go here!Three day residencies now available!

We need your help to bring our residency program into schools that might not otherwise be able to afford it. Sponsor this theme and enable students to do a week-long residency based on Leadership.

Find more about our types of themes by clicking here.

Our goal is to help schools bring a residency into their school. The level of subsidy needed is usually about $20-50 per student.

A $25,000 donation would sponsor residencies in approximately 5 schools – that’s about 1800 Alberta students and families that would get to participate in the creation of live theatre! You will also receive recognition as the title sponsor for the leadership theme for the year (your logo will appear at the top of our residency sort for that category).

To learn more about becoming a Trickster Theatre Partner, click here.

Chief Jacob Bearspaw School

Traditional First Nations Leaders in our Current World

MAY 16-20 | EDEN VALLEY

150 Students Participating

Further Reading

Schools create a show in 1 week!

Funding Available

New Funding Opportunity

Would your school like to create an original show?

Trickster Theatre is applying for Heritage Canada funding to partner with up to 20 schools in creating shows that explore one of these themes:

Let’s celebrate Canada — one story, one school at a time!

Sponsor Leadership

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