Interested in Queer Theatre-Making? Join this exciting project

Are you:
 

• A queer performing artist interested in creating original work, collaborating with artists of various disciplines, and expanding your own performance creation skillset?
• A dramaturg excited to support new work, develop novel creation tools, and contribute to leading performance research.
• An arts-lover keen to experience innovative performances, provide constructive feedback, and have your voice be heard?
   

If so, we would love your help! We are excited to invite you to participate in an interdisciplinary research project investigating how audiences engage with queer (2SLGBTQIA+) performance (REB25-0763). The research is being led by Eve Beauchamp (MFA Drama candidate at the University of Calgary), supervised by Dr. Bruce Barton, and co-supervised by Dr. Suzette Mayr.
 

Currently, we are looking for participants for three different groups:
 

• Group 1: Artist Collaborators
• Group 2: Dramaturgs
• Group 3: Outside Observers
   

Group 1: Artistic Collaborators
Participation as an artistic collaborator will include partaking in and contributing to a devised creation process focusing on queer experience and identity that will culminate in a short (approx. 20-25 minute) presentation for an audience. The creation process will take place over one month and comprise a total of 30 hours of rehearsal time (to be scheduled based on participant availability).
 

Artistic collaborators must:
 

• Self-Identify as queer/2SLGBTQIA+
• Be 18 years old or older
• Be fluent in English
• Have an emerging or established performing arts practice (A performing arts practice, in this case, can comprise any performing form of art, including but not limited to, theatre, music, and dance)
   

Group 2: Dramaturgs
Participation as a dramaturg will include supporting the devised creation process focusing on queer experience and identity that will culminate in a short (approx. 20-25 minute) presentation for an audience. The creation process will take place over one month and comprise a maximum of 15 hours of rehearsal time (to be scheduled based on participant availability).
 

Dramaturgs must:
 

• Self-Identify as either queer/2SLGBTQIA+ OR not queer/2SLGBTQIA+
• Be 18 years old or older
• Be fluent in English
• Have an established dramaturgy practice (An established dramaturgy practice, in this case, means the participant has considerable past experience working as a dramaturg – whether workshops or full productions.)
   

Group 3: Outside Observers
Participation as an observer may include observing parts of a devised creation process focusing on queer experience and identity AND/OR attending a short (20-25 minute) culminating presentation, and participating in an online survey, focus group, and/or interview about your impression of the presentation. The total time commitment would be a maximum of 5 hours over the course of two months and will be scheduled based on participant availability.
 

Observers must be:

• 18 years old and over
• Fluent in English
• Comfortable providing written and/or verbal feedback on performing arts
   

Participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw at any point of the study without risk of repercussion. There will be no professional, artistic, or academic repercussions should individuals elect not to participate in the study. Researcher Eve Beauchamp possesses no current hiring or casting authority both within the University of Calgary and within the greater artistic community.
 

If you would like to participate in this innovative research project, please email Eve Beauchamp (eve.beauchamp@ucalgary.ca) by September 30th, 2025 with a message specifying which role(s) you are interested in assuming. You will then be provided the comprehensive participant consent form.
 

The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this study (REB25-0763).