Directors Intensive 2026
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Application Deadline: November 12, 2025
Program Dates: April 13 – 18, 2026
Overview
This one-week intensive for emerging directors, led by acclaimed director Weyni Mengesha, offers a transformative opportunity to deepen artistic practice in a focused, collaborative environment. Participants will engage in masterclasses, scene study, and group discussion, exploring vision, leadership and process.
Weyni brings her deep expertise and a unique approach to fostering bold, socially resonant work. Ideal for directors at the early stages of their careers, this program provides creative mentorship, peer exchange and space to refine your voice in stunning surroundings.
Description
This program supports emerging directors in refining their artistic voice, strengthening collaborative practices, and building the skills needed to lead creative processes with confidence and clarity.
The program goals include:
- Articulate a Clear Directorial Vision: Develop the ability to conceptualize and communicate a compelling artistic vision for a production—from first read to final rehearsal.
- Deepen actor–director collaboration: Strengthen techniques for working with actors through scene study, rehearsal practices, and feedback, with an emphasis on trust and clarity.
- Explore Leadership and Process: Examine the director’s role as both creative leader and collaborator, gaining practical tools for fostering inclusive and courageous rehearsal rooms.
- Engage with dramaturgical thinking: Refine skills in script analysis, interpretation, and narrative shaping to serve story, character, and thematic resonance.
- Build Your Artistic Network: Connect with fellow emerging directors and mentors to exchange strategies, share challenges, and cultivate long-term artistic growth.
Requirements
This program invites applications from:
- Early-career directors with less than 5 years experience eager to strengthen their craft.
- Directors seeking mentorship and guidance from an experienced leader in the field.
- Those with post-secondary training in theatre, directing, or performance studies, or equivalent professional experience.
Total fee per person (tuition, accommodation and meal plan): $1,888.95
*Financial aid of up to: $12,75.22
*Funding amounts vary and do not cover 100 per cent of the total program fee. Participants should expect to pay a minimum of 25 per cent of the total program fee.
We are pleased to offer financial aid for Canadian Indigenous participants, which covers up to 100 per cent of the total program fee.
For more information and to apply online, visit: banffcentre.ca.
