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Residencies

Co-create a performance in a week with your WHOLE SCHOOL and professional artists based on your choice of theme.

Residencies

Co-create a performance with your WHOLE SCHOOL and professional artists based on your choice of theme.
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What happens in a Theatre Residency?

We discover the show through a very simple group improv process. Our Trickster Artists begin by creating movement patterns with your students, the actors. Then we build the context around these patterns, developing the story and the dialogue.

Fundamental to the Trickster Process is our use of everyday items as props. Our actors improvise with plungers, bins, bamboo poles, pool noodles, scarves, and other everyday objects. On top of this, we bring the spectacle of our signature blacklight and shadow screen styles for theatre performances.

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What’s included?

Our Team...

  • Includes 2-10 professional artists
  • Works with up to 600 actors
  • Accommodates grades K-12

We’ll Provide…

  • Professional lighting, sound, & curtains
  • Costumes for all students
  • Hundreds of multi-purpose props
  • 1-2 public performances
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Funding Available

We help schools apply for funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The deadline is May 1 for residencies in 2025-26. Up to $15,000 per school is possible.

New for 2025-26: Trickster is now also applying for federal government funding for the same schools, with a March 31 deadline. This means you now have double the chances to get your residency funded.

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Funding Available

We help schools apply for funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The deadline is May 1 for residencies in 2025-26. Up to $15,000 per school is possible.

New for 2025-26: Trickster is now also applying for federal government funding for the same schools, with a March 31 deadline. This means you now have double the chances to get your residency funded.

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We've been doing this for a while...

1300+

More than 1300 residencies over 35 years

75%

Residencies in more than 75% of all Alberta Communities

130+

More than 130 residencies in Indigenous Communities

350k+

More than 350,000 Albertans have been in one of our week-long residencies

In ALL Residencies...

Every student will…
  • Learn about and explore the chosen theme
  • Learn to write better stories
  • Spend about 90 minutes every day working with a professional artist
  • Have full involvement in the process
  • Gain confidence in themselves and their talents
  • Perform in the show
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In ALL Residencies...

Every student will…

  • Learn about and explore the chosen theme
  • Learn to write better stories
  • Spend about 90 minutes every day working with a professional artist
  • Have full involvement in the process
  • Gain confidence in themselves and their talents
  • Perform in the show
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How it works

Step 1

Contact us to talk about what you would like to explore in your residency (theme), as well as talk fees and dates.
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Step 2

Send us a short 1-page commitment letter so that we can raise funds for your residency through federal funders

November 15 – March 31 deadline.

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Step 3

We assist you in writing an application to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts – May 1 deadline.

Any Theme is Possible

We want to customize the residency to your school – so you get to choose the theme. Each class will create pieces of the performance that focus on topics within your greater theme. The theme can be anything you want, but here are some of the common themes for your consideration.

You Belong Here

Explore the importance of inclusivity and community, the value of identities, appreciating one and others experiences, empathy and mutual respect. Sub-themes: Random Acts of Kindness, Diversity

The Land

What do we learn from the Land? This is perhaps the most fundamental question we face today as we try to listen to and learn from the natural world.

Science

Explore the science curriculum by acting it out. We can create a physical understanding of any topic such as plant growth, flight, magnetism, and more.

Math

Create a performance about how Math is used in real world situations. Included in the performances is a live-time projection outlining the Math that the students are using in their play!

Local History

Explore the history of your community, unearth stories about the past, celebrate your local heroes, and imagine what the future looks like in your community.

Literary Genres

Each class will create a theatre piece based on a literary genre, including Science Fiction, Fables, Documentary, Detective Novels, Poetry, Historical Fiction, and more.

Leadership

Explore the leadership values that inspire our youth. Some of those values are: resiliency, empathy, patience, mastery, courage, generosity and the ability to think outside the box.

Journalism (custom)

Examine the role of media in informing the public and uncovering stories that shape our understanding of the world. This theme includes an added video component, live, during performance to outline the many mediums of journalism.

Igniting Wonder

Starting from a special object – like a wedding dress, or a gumball dispenser, each class will create the story – the flight of wonder – that comes from that prop.

Health

Problem solving, stress management, setting goals, the effects of sugar on your body, or healthy sleep habits. Helping students connect with topics that will help them be happier and healthier.

Going Green

Focus on adopting environmentally sustainable practices to reduce our ecological impact, preserve natural resources, and address environmental challenges. It promotes awareness, advocacy, and collaborative efforts to create a sustainable future.

Global Issues

Act out global issues and learn more about the world. Water issues, conservation, equality, resource use and climate change are all things that concern students today.

Diversity

Looking at at what it means to welcome others to be part of their local, national and international family.

Custom Theme

We can create a show based on whatever you can imagine! Dare to dream – what ideas do you want to explore together?

Canada

Explore what it means to be Canadian. Students can present stories about the history of Canada, the landscape, the people, and the future of our country.

Ready to get started?

You can use this form to book a residency.

Ready to get started

"*" indicates required fields

Your Position in the school?*
Which Grades are in your school?*
Have you done a residency with us before?*
In which school year do you want to do the residency?
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Ready to get started

"*" indicates required fields

Your Position in the school?*
Which Grades are in your school?*
Have you done a residency with us before?*
In which school year do you want to do the residency?

Testimonials

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