YOUNG CREATORS UNIT

The Young Creators Unit (YCU) provides a supportive and artistically rigorous space for four queer-identified artists (age 25 and under) to develop and perform their own original, 25-minute, solo performance piece. Under the creative mentorship of YCU Director Evalyn Parry, members of the YCU develop and workshop their material through weekly Unit meetings, from October to February. In January, each YCU artist is paired with a professional director, to work toward the final presentation of their show, which takes place at the annual Rhubarb Festival.

The YCU is dedicated to developing the work of promising, emerging queer creator/performers. We are interested in work that pushes the boundaries of theatrical creation, and in keeping with Buddies' mandate, have a particular interest in work that reflects "queerness" either in terms of LGBT identity, and/or in terms of difference, being outside the mainstream, challenging in both content and form.

The 2011/12 Young Creators Unit are:

• Jamie Ebbs
• Daniel Jelani Ellis
• Michael David Lorsch
• cassy walker

Presentations schedule:

YCU Week One: Feb 11 and 12, 6-7 pm

speaking of sneaking
written and performed by Daniel Jelani Ellis
directed by Evalyn Parry

Any Jamaican will tell you that ginnals aren't to be trusted. speaking of sneaking tells the story of one such ginnal navigating countries, sexuality and race.

satan in me
written and performed by cassy walker
directed by Audrey Dwyer

It has been one month, one week, and one day since they've connected. Now, joy can only run away for so long when the very source of both her healing and pain forces her to examine the nature of their complicated relationship.

YCU Week Two: Feb 18 and 19, 6-7 pm

Disease of Kings
written and performed by Jamie Ebbs
directed by Alistair Newton

A young man suffers a major depressive episode with decadent delight. A semi-autobiographical score, combining abstract physicality, story-telling, and poetry, to explore the glamorization of depression.

As in Happy
written and performed by Michael David Lorsch
directed by Brendan Healy

David, a twenty something nationally syndicated Toronto advice columnist, broadcasts his final live column on the eve of the 2018 national referendum on marriage.

For more information and applications for the 2012/13 YCU, please check again here in June 2012.