IN DEVELOPMENT
Upintheair Theatre’s
Propeller Residency
The Propeller Residency
Propeller supports artists from concept and creation, through development and production.
The 2-year Propeller Residency guides artists through a structured dramaturgy process & collaborative production plan to create and produce original spec-fic performances. Following a nation-wide search for proposals, projects are selected based on the originality & relevance of the concept, innovative design/staging, & the impact on the professional development of the artists involved.
Selected artist(s) will work closely with Upintheair to develop their project, taking part in dramaturgical sessions and creative workshops beginning in Summer 2026. The residency will culminate in a full production in Vancouver, planned for Fall/Early Winter 2027.
Image Credits
Banner – Mack Gordon: REVELATIONS Photo by Marjo Wright
Flyer – Jesse White Illustration: Dead Drone
What we are looking for:
– Upintheair is seeking creative proposals (max 2 pages) from artists that explain your individual/company artistic practice, producing experience, and proposed project.
– We are looking to partner with an emerging producing artist or company to create a full-length piece of theatrical work in the genre of speculative fiction. We define Speculative Fiction as: Narrative exploring real and important ideas about what is happening in the world right now, through an intelligent eye on the near future.
– We are open to unconventional works. Whatever theatre works mean to you.
– We are not looking for completed existing works but will consider work that is in progress, had a short run or trial presentation, as well as new untried concepts. This is a chance to create an original show and receive support at the early ideas stage of the creative process.
Who is eligible?
Emerging and mid-career artists living in Canada. We invite artists of all ages, abilities, cultural practices, ethnicities, socio-economic status, genders, religions, and sexual orientations to apply. The commission seeks to be responsive to the ideas that emerge through the proposal process.
Financial support:
– Commissioning Fee, Production Fee and Workshop Fee following CAEA Guidelines/PGC Guidelines
– Two workshops lasting one week each between 2026-2027 in Vancouver, BC
– Travel costs, accommodation and per-diem (if travelling from outside of Vancouver, BC)
– Workshop performers, director, stage manager etc. provided and paid for by Upintheair Theatre (and agreed upon with Updrafts Development Project Lead Artist)
Proposals:
Be sure to address the following questions in your letter of support:
- Why speculative fiction?
- How do you envision this residency advancing your practice as a producing artist? Why is this the right time for you?
- Provide one or two examples of your past producing experience (if applicable).
- How do you view collaborative artistic processes? When you work collaboratively how do you approach these partnerships? How do you wish to collaborate with us?
- What stage of development is your project currently in? For example, has it been produced before? Is it in the concept phase? Has it received dramaturgical support?
- How can Upintheair support your access, cultural, or other needs to ensure a safe, rewarding, and inclusive residency and workplace?
- Is there anything else you would like us to know or any questions or challenges you would like to share with us about Propeller?
Please also include the following in your proposal:
- A short synopsis of your play, concept, or project (max 200 words).
- Creative CV/resume(s) (max 2 pages/artist) or Bios (max 200 words/artist) for all lead collaborators
- OPTIONAL but highly recommended: Support material. Include anything that you believe will support your application and assist us in evaluation of your project and/or artistic practice. (images, marketing materials, past reviews, letters of support, renderings, trailers, archival video, conceptual documents etc.. )
Requirements:
- Artists must be open to receiving dramaturgical support and artistic input from Upintheair Theatre.
- A rehearsal ready draft must be finalized by January 2027
Application Information:
Applications to the program are now open.
DEADLINE: All proposals or interview requests must be received by Friday August 28, 2026 @ 11:59 pm PDT
Beyond written or document based submissions, Upintheair is open to receiving proposals in the following alternative formats. If you wish to submit using an interview format, please contact dave(at)upintheairtheatre.com to coordinate an interview or inform us about the video submission.
- Video recording addressing the letter of intent info
- In person or digital interviews
Propeller Residency History
2022: REVELATIONS
The first Propeller Residency (formerly known as the Updrafts Collective Commission) work, Revelations, enjoyed a successful run at the Shadbolt Centre (Burnaby). In this COVID-era interactive game-show / escape room hybrid, the first “act” took place in the audience’s homes over walkie-talkie, followed by a socially distanced gathering for the finale.
2025: DEAD DRONE
A subsequent Propeller project, the ambitious DEAD DRONE, premiered in April 2025. DRONE implemented a bespoke “puppet-projection” multiplane camera model that integrated performance, live object manipulation, puppetry, prerecorded animation, and holographic projections on glass panes.