Residencies

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

This season we are back in schools creating live performances with students and teachers! Each class will get to create their very own play with one of our professional artists, and perform it to a live audience. In one week!

We are still accepting bookings for the 2022/2023 season.

We will be supporting schools applying to the AFA May 1 deadline for in-school theatre based residencies for the 2023/2024 school season. Grants of up to $15,000 per school are possible. 

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.

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

Funding Available

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts has a program that schools can apply to for 50% funding in the Calgary and Edmonton areas and 75% funding everywhere else in the province.  

The application deadline is May 1 for residencies in the 2023-24 school year. Up to $15,000. per school is possible. 

Contact our office for more details on how to apply.

 

What we have done with AFA support.

  • more than 1200 residencies over 34 years
  • residencies in more than 75% of all Alberta Communities
  • more than 120 residencies in Indigenous Communities
  • more than 300,000 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

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 some of the 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.

Diversity

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

Finding the Balance

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

Health

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

Global Issues

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.

Leadership

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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

2022-23

Sep 19-23

 

 

Paddle Prairie School, Paddle Prairie

Sep 26-30

Eleanor Hall School, Clyde

 

Gift Lake School, Gift Lake

Oct 3-7

 
 

Worsley Central School, Worsley

Oct 11-14 – 4 day week

OPEN 

 

Menno Simmons School, Cleardale

Oct 17-21

Holy Spirit Academy, High River

 

Hines Creek Composite, Hines Creek

Oct 24-28

OPEN 
 

 

Oct 31-Nov 4

Westsprings School, Calgary

 

Kateri School, Trout Lake

Nov 7-10 – 4 day week

OPEN 

Nov 14-18

Sir John Franklin School, Calgary

 

Lilian Schick School, Bon Accord

Nov 21-25

Assumption Roman Catholic School, Oyen
 

 

OPEN 

Nov 28-Dec 2

Willow Park School, Calgary

 

École les Cyprès, Medicine Hat

Dec 5-9

St. Benedict School, Edmonton

 

Berry Creek Community School, Cessford

Dec 12-16

St. Mary School, Beaverlodge

 

AB Daley Community School, Nanton

Dec 19-22

Kemeyosek School, Edmonton

 

Buchanan School, Calgary

Dec 24-Jan 6

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Dec 24-Jan 6

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Jan 9-13

OPEN 
Jan 9-13

Anne Fitzgerald School, Edmonton

Jan 16-20

Overlander School, Edmonton

Jan 23-27

Highwood School, Calgary

Jan 23-27

Calgary Girls School

Jan 30-Feb 3David Thomas King School, Edmonton

Feb 6-10

David Thomas King School, Edmonton

 

York School, Edmonton

Feb 13-17

Wheatland School, Strathmore

 

Talmud Torah, Edmonton

Feb 21-24 – 4 day week

OPEN 

Feb 21-24 – 4 day week

Fort Assiniboine School, Fort Assiniboine

Feb 27-Mar 3

Bowcroft School, Calgary

 OPEN 
Mar 6-10Stratford School, Edm
 OPEN 
Mar 13-17Banff Trail School, Calgary
 Andrew Sibbald School, Calgary
Mar 20-24West Park School, Red Deer
  OPEN 
Mar 27-31Horace Allen School, Crowsnest Pass
 OPEN 
Apr 3-6OPEN 
 OPEN 
Apr. 11-14OPEN 
 OPEN 
Apr. 17-21Raymond School, Raymond
  OPEN 
Apr. 24-28Duclos School
 OPEN 
May 1-5 Caernarvon School, Edmonton
University School, Calgary
May 8-12 John Henry Newman School, Calgary
May 15-19 St. Dominic School, Calgary
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School, Eden Valley
May 23-26 St. Rita, Calgary
Jun 5-9 OPEN 
Little Buffalo School, Cadotte Lake
Jun 12-16 Ecole Rocky Mountain Elem., Rocky Mtn. House
Edgmont School, Calgary
OPEN 
Jun 19-23 OPEN 

2023-2024

Sept 11-15OPEN
Sept 18-22:OPEN
Sept 25-29:OPEN
Oct 2-6:  OPEN
Oct 10-13:OPEN
Oct 16-20: OPEN
Oct 23-27: OPEN
Oct 30- Nov 3: OPEN 
Nov. 6-10OPEN
Nov. 13-17:OPEN
Nov. 20-24:OPEN
Nov. 27- Dec. 1:OPEN
Dec 6-10OPEN 
Dec 11-15OPEN 
Dec 18-22OPEN 
Dec 23-Jan 7HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Jan 8-12OPEN 
Jan 15-19OPEN 
Jan 22-26OPEN 
Jan 29- Feb 2OPEN
Feb 5-9OPEN
Feb 12-16OPEN
Feb 19-23OPEN
Feb 26-Mar 1 
OPEN
Mar 4-8OPEN
Mar 11-16OPEN
Mar 18-22OPEN
Mar 25-29OPEN
Apr 1-5OPEN
Apr 8-12OPEN
Apr 15-19OPEN
Apr 22-26OPEN
Apr 29- May 3OPEN
May 6-10OPEN
May 13-17OPEN
May 21-24OPEN
(4 day week)
May 27-31OPEN
Jun 3-7OPEN
Jun 10-14OPEN
Jun 17-21OPEN 
Jun 24-28OPEN 

If you want us to come to your school to do an in-person residency. Talk to us to 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.

GRANT DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2023

What works best for you?​

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 May 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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