FOUNDATIONS FEST

WHAT IT IS:​​

Foundations Fest is Theatre Aurora’s celebration of new theatre, spotlighting short, unpublished works by York Region playwrights. The festival brings together local writers, directors, and actors to collaborate on dramatic stage readings of one-act plays.

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Participants can get involved in many ways: playwrights can submit original short works for consideration; directors can apply to lead readings and help shape developing scripts; and performers can audition to bring these new voices to life. 

 

Volunteers and community partners are also welcome to join the festival team, helping to nurture emerging talent and create an inspiring space for creativity to grow.
 

Whether you’re an artist, a supporter, or an audience member, Foundations Fest is your chance to be part of something new: a celebration of York Region’s creative foundations and the stories ready to rise from them.

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​WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• First time writers and playwrights

• Monologues, short plays, and one-act plays of any genre, [except musicals … sorry]

• Submissions that embrace diverse voices from all backgrounds and experiences

• York Region writers (submissions from across Canada also welcome)

• Please, no tech-heavy scripts

• Priority will be given to non-published, non-produced plays from York Region

**Production may be limited to 20 minutes of staged time. Directors will have creative discretion to pick the best segment / scenes to play. All plays will receive full rehearsal time.

 

WHAT PLAYWRIGHTS CAN EXPECT:

• Your work read by actors, visioned and guided by a director, and produced as a staged reading at Theatre Aurora

• Dramaturgical feedback and rehearsal collaboration

• Opportunity to attend rehearsals and join the creative process

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NOTIFICATION TIMELINE:

• End of December 2026: Shortlist announced

• January 2027: Final selections confirmed

• February 2027: Directors announced

• March 2027: Casts announced

• May-June 2027: Rehearsals begin

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FESTIVAL DETAILS

• Saturday June 26th, 2027

• 7:00 - 10:00 PM

• Pay-What-You-Can

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HOW TO SUBMIT:

1. Send your script as a PDF with no identifiers to director2@theatreaurora.com

2. Put your name and contact info in the email body.

3. Deadline: December 15th, 2026

4. Please send questions to director2@theatreaurora.com

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HOW PLAYS WILL BE SELECTED:

• Blind Review - All submissions are read without playwright names or identifiers to ensure fairness. This protects emerging writers and prioritizes the work itself.

• Selection Committee - A panel made up of Theatre Aurora members (directors, dramaturgs, actors, board members) will review all submissions. Having a mix of artistic and community voices keeps the process balanced.

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EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Submissions will be assessed on:

• Storytelling strength – Is the voice clear, compelling, and original?

• Suitability for staged readings – Works best if the script lives on the page/words rather than heavy tech/design.

• Cast/length feasibility – Smaller casts and manageable run-times make for smoother festival programming.

• Range of voices – Preference for diversity of perspectives, styles, and themes to reflect our community.

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With gratitude,

THE FOUNDATIONS FEST TEAM

Chris Cluff · Kirsty Campbell · Jess Falcioni · Christian Tribuzio

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All roles are open to consideration regardless of background, ethnicity, or sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Ages indicated in the breakdown are ages reflected on stage and not actual ages of the actors.

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Theatre Aurora is a not-for-profit organization and is a non-union, non-paying volunteer opportunity.​