Theatre Direct’s popular inquiry-based program for artist exploration: Hack Lab, opens a cohort specifically for artist caregivers! A unique opportunity for those engaged in care work to reconnect with their practice and other artists within a time-flexible container.
Hack Lab is an entirely process-driven creative space that disrupts what we know about performance by investigating non-traditional forms, sparking discussions and engaging with works of art. Artists can interact with the lab in the way that best suits them, and many past participants have expressed that Hack Lab has pushed the limits of their own artistic processes. Hack Lab is a multigenerational group that is open to all artists, at any stage of their practice.
HACK LAB: RESEARCH + RESIDENCY 2023
APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED. HACK LAB WILL RETURN IN THE ’23-24 SEASON.
Open to artist-caregivers developing new performance projects.
Facilitated by Shira Leuchter, the program spans 4 months, with online sessions curated to support each artist’s interests, as well as studio residency time for artists to test out new ideas alongside a community of collaborators.
Dates:
Tuesdays. February 21st, March 7th & 21st, April 4th &18th, May 2. 6 x one-hour biweekly online sessions
May 15th – May 28th: In Studio Residency @Theatre Direct’s Studio H
Artists will arrange in-studio time as it works with their schedule; we are open to exploring other sites as needed by participants, including sites outside of Toronto/Tkaronto.
In this incarnation of Hack Lab, participants will apply with a specific performance project or with an idea for a project they’ve been developing. Projects can explore any content. Formal experimentation and exploration is welcome and encouraged. In advance of each of the six online sessions, Shira will email materials and artistic references that respond to each participant’s project in some way, with the intention of supporting each artist’s research, broadening our references, and sparking different ways to express ideas. The community of Hack Lab artists will be witness to each other as we ask questions together, engage in conversation and explore creative prompts.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss childcare/caregiving needs, please reach out to susie@theatredirect.ca.
Hack Lab F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)
If you require any assistance with accessibility including access to the internet or a device, or if you have any questions, please contact us at balancingact@theatredirect.ca.
There’s not a lot of opportunities for us to engage with art as artists when we’re also looking after our little one. Having a child demands flexibility and Hack Lab provides an open and welcoming environment that enables us to have conversations about art with other artists while still being able to parent simultaneously. It’s really helped us to keep our creative flames going during the pandemic.
Andrea Mapili & Byron Abalos