Ancram Opera House’s Summer Play Lab Artist Residency
A Play Lab for the People
In 2020, Ancram Opera House developed the Summer Play Lab residency as a way to support artists of all practices in the creation of new work in uncertain times. The residency program offered creators a space to make theatre that felt rewarding and complete, in a time when live performance was not viable. Through open rehearsals, interactive workshops, and talkback events with the artists, the Summer Play Lab residency forged meaningful connections between resident artists and the community. In the transition back to live theatre, the Summer Play Lab residency remains an integral part of AOH’s seasonal programming.
Central to AOH’s mission is the act of telling stories—whether through spoken word, song or other means—as a way for our community to connect and learn. With the Summer Play Lab program, AOH continues to support visionary artists in their creative journeys and invites the community to take part in the process.
Programming Details
The Summer Play Lab residency serves as an incubator of new and innovative performance. It is a two-month process that culminates to work-in-progress showings offered to the public. Artists are provided with free rehearsal space, receive feedback from resident respondents, and participate in regular check-ins with AOH directors in support of their work. AOH seeks to further the artist’s process and efforts to bring their new, emerging piece closer towards a fully realized production in the future at AOH or elsewhere.
COMMUNITY Engagement
The Summer Play Lab provides an opportunity for the community to directly connect with resident artists through a series of public engagements.
These events include
Introductory sessions during which each resident artist shares information about the genesis of the work being created at the residency
Select open rehearsals during which community members may observe the artist and their collaborators at work
Free, interactive workshop experiences based upon the resident artist’s expertise and practice
Talkbacks with the audience after the showings