Residencies

Co-create a performance with professional artists based on your choice of theme.

In this current season we are doing virtual video story based residencies as well as virtual classroom level theatre based residencies (no big show at the end). We are also doing in-school video story based residencies where possible.  

For 2021-22 we expect to offering our standard in-school theatre residency format with shows in the gym, as well as in-school video residencies and virtual theatre and video residencies.

 

We will be supporting schools applying to the AFA April 1 deadline for either in-school video residencies or in-school theatre based residencies. All applications will also include a Plan B virtual format in case Covid is still a factor.

What happens in a Theatre Residency?

We discover the show through a very simple group improv process. Our Tricksters 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 traditional performances and green screen for video performances.

What's included?

Our Team…

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

We’ll Provide…

Traditional residencies:

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

What happens in a Video Residency?

The biggest difference in this residency is that the style of creation moves from Theatre to Video.  We will be creating a separate video with each class and we’ll edit all of the class pieces into a school video that can be shared online with a password.

We’ll be using Green Screens so that we can place students anywhere!

These Video based Residencies may in some cases be able to be held over a multi-week period so that fewer artists are in the school.

What's included?

Our Team…

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

We’ll Provide…

  • Professional lighting & video equipment
  • Multiple green screens – large and small 
  • A large library of  background images and music
  • All artists have full camera rigs with lights and microphones
  • Videos edited with visual overlays and fun elements

Online Residencies

 

Available in 2 Formats

1. Theatre based stories in which the whole classroom is the stage and we co-create an original performance together. 

2. Video based Stories where we co-create a video together. 

In both of these formats the artists will not be physically in the school at all. Artists will work with students over Zoom. 

These residencies will typically have a longer time frame (2-4 weeks)

Trickster Artists are still responsible for all aspects of the residency.

What's included?

Our Team…

  • Includes 1-5 professional artists
  • Works with any size school
  • Accommodates grades K-12
  • Residency can happen over multiple weeks with different classes each week

We’ll Provide…

  • Artists to direct the performance or video via Google Meets or Zoom
  • Video equipment as needed will be delivered to the school

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/video

Choose Your Theme

Focusing your residency on a specific theme makes it cohesive. 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 a few common themes for your consideration.

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.

Leadership

Drawing inspiration from The Leader in Me principles, this theme explores the leadership values that inspire our youth, helping students determine the steps towards their own success.

Kids Go Global

Act out global issues and learn more about the world. Extend your learning with the Kids Go Global website where we provide resources to run school projects & share student work.

Roots & Wings

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.

Finding the Balance

Reconciliation is an important topic in Canada. Explore the strengths of different worldviews as we find the balance between
two worlds.

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.

Science Alive

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.

Explore Your Theme

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

Step One

Set up a meeting to discuss options.

Step Two

Choose a theme for your residency.

Step Three

We’ll help put together your grant application.

Available Dates

Residency Info Meeting

2020-21

Oct. 5-9 BOOKED

Oct. 12-16: OPEN – 4-Day Residency

Oct. 19-23: BOOKED

Oct. 26-30 BOOKED

Nov. 2-6: BOOKED

Nov. 9-13: OPEN – 4-Day

Residency – ( call to check suitablity)

Nov. 16-20: OPEN

Nov. 23-27: BOOKED

Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 :BOOKED

Dec. 7-11: BOOKED

Dec. 14-18: OPEN

Jan. 4-8: BOOKED

Jan. 11-15: BOOKED

Jan. 18-22: OPEN

Jan. 25-29 : BOOKED

Feb. 1-5: BOOKED

Feb. 8-12: BOOKED

Feb. 15-19: OPEN – 4-Day Residency ( call to check suitablity)

Feb. 22-26: BOOKED

Mar. 1-5: OPEN – small school only ( 12 classes or less)

Mar. 8-12: OPEN – small school only ( 12 classes or less)

Mar. 15-19: BOOKED

Mar. 22-26: BOOKED

Mar. 29-Apr. 2: OPEN – 4-Day Residency – (call to check suitablity)

Apr. 5-9: OPEN – 4-Day Residency- ( call to check suitablity)

Apr. 12-16: BOOKED

Apr. 19-23: BOOKED

Apr. 26-30: BOOKED

May 3-7: BOOKED

May 10-14: BOOKED

May 17-21: BOOKED

May 25-28: OPEN – 4 day week, small school only (12 classes or less)

May 31-June 4: OPEN 

June 7-11: BOOKED

June 14-18: OPEN – small school only (12 classes or less)

2021-22

Sep 13-17: OPEN 

Sep 20-24: OPEN 

Sep 27-Oct 1: OPEN 

Oct 4-8: OPEN 

Oct 12-15: OPEN – 4 day week

Oct 18-22: OPEN 

Oct 25-29: OPEN 

Nov 1-5: OPEN – schools over 10 classes

Nov 8-12: OPEN – 4 day week

Nov 15-19: Booked

Nov 22-26: Booked

Nov 29-Dec 3: OPEN – schools over 10 classes

Dec 6-10: Booked

Dec 13-17: Booked

Dec 20-23: OPEN  – 4 day week

Jan 3-7: OPEN 

Jan 10-14: Booked

Jan 17-21: Booked

Jan 24-28: Booked

Jan 31-Feb 4: Booked

Feb 7-11: Booked

Feb 14-18: OPEN – schools over 10 classes

Feb 21-25: OPEN

Feb 28-Mar 4: Booked

Mar 7-11: Booked

Mar 14-18: Booked

Mar 21-25: OPEN– schools under 10 classes

Mar 28-Apr 1: Booked

Apr 4-8: Booked

Apr 11-15: OPEN – 4 day week

Apr 18-22: OPEN – schools over 10 classes

Apr 25-29: Booked

May 2-6: Booked

May 9-13: Booked

May 16-20: Booked

May 23-27: OPEN – 4 day week

May 30-Jun 3: Booked

Jun 6-10: OPEN

Jun 13-17: OPEN

Jun 20-24: OPEN

In this meeting we can discuss available dates, costs, AFA grants, possible themes and any other questions you might have.  If you decide to book, we can start that process too. Book a meeting using the calendar below, email or call us at
(403)288-9393.

**Please book ASAP so we can help you write your AFA grant application. **

AFA Grant deadline is April 1st.

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Residency Info Webinar

Get Questions Answered every Friday at 1 pm 

Funding

50% or 75% Funding possible

Up to $15,000

Grant Writing Support

Accessible Help Files

Artists & Education Grant

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) provides residency program funding assistance directly to Alberta schools. The annual application deadline is April 1, which may provide funding for projects in the following school year.

See it in Action

video library

What Teachers are Saying

The patience of the staff, enthusiasm, patience, flexibility make these performers, program and final performance exceptional. I can see everyone really puts their hearts into making it the best for children and staff. My kids left wanting MORE from Trickster!!!! 

- Michele Meijer, Waverly Elementary School, Edmonton 2019-20

Trickster helped our students come alive in physical theatre and showed them another way to learn. Students were enthusiastic, creative, took risks and looked invincible on stage. Students have created memories that will stay with them for many years to come.

- Barb Davis, Waverly Elementary School, Edmonton 2019-20

Trickster Theatre was a special experience for our staff, students and community. Our students were fully engaged and empowered to bring their ideas to life. Trickster was able to help create memories that will last a lifetime!

- Brian Pedersen, École Danserau Meadows, Beaumont 2019-20

From start to finish the trickster staff and artists made the residency process easy and enjoyable. The residency week was one of those peak moments in life that the students will always remember.

- Karina Miller, Mannville School, Mannville 2018-19

If you ever have the opportunity to have Trickster take over your school for a week do not turn it down! This non-stop, fun filled residency will have students learning in a whole new way. Some students that are struggling with personal trials were able to bond with their classmates and forget their troubles for a little while they were learning and that was the most beautiful thing to see.

- Jenn Thompson, St John Paul II Catholic School, Grande Prairie 2018-19

If you are looking to enhance your connection with your community, Tricksters is your key. What about staff collaboration and energizing students? Tricksters ties the performance philosophy into every day of the residency. Students learn about physical theatre, themselves, and their teacher. The teacher learns about how students can shine when offered a different learning approach. Teachers learn about their peers and develop a shared knowledge of the theme. It can be inspiring. Take the chance. Check out Tricksters!

- G.LaCoste A.B.Daley School, Nanton, AB 2018-19

Trickster Theater interacted with every student in our school. The week was a great experience for our students. The final show was outstanding; and the students were glowing with pride!

- Penny Messom - Greentree Elementary, Drumheller 2018-19

I like the fact that the Residency Tricksters allow the students to play a big role in creating this moment. It was about the students. They created the play and acted the play. It allowed the students to show their hidden talents.

- Yvette, Rainbow Lake School, Rainbow Lake 2018-19

Students thoroughly enjoyed the week. It was amazing to see what students could do with a simple idea. Students creativity and strengths came through in their performances and their confidence in their storytelling abilities grew over the week.

- Dara Taylor, St Catherine School, Grande Prairie 2018-19

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