Education & Mentorship
Nurturing the next generation of theatre-makers.
Theatre by the Bay's Education Series is three connected programs that develop artistic voices, emerging producers, and young performers — building mentorship, leadership, belonging, and a stronger pipeline of future arts leaders in Central Ontario.
New Work Development
Presented by Anna Small
Facilitated by playwright and dramaturg Trudee Romanek
The Anna Small Theatre Lab provides a creative development space where artists can test ideas, strengthen scripts, share work, and move new artistic projects forward.
What It Does
- →Supports artistic exploration and the development of new work
- →Creates a safe environment for artists to receive feedback and refine ideas
- →Encourages deep discussion, collaboration, and experimentation
- →Informs revision, helping to propel projects toward their next level and ultimately, toward the stage
Why It Matters
- →Provides extremely rare opportunity for and facilitation of important voices in our community
- →Sustains ongoing creative development of artistic work
- →Fosters original work through its open and judgement-free structure
- →Continues Theatre by the Bay’s longstanding role as a facilitator of exciting new artists and their works
The Theatre Lab helps nurture original voices and strengthens Theatre by the Bay's role in developing new artistic work.
Anna Small Theatre Lab
Where New Stories Take Shape
The Anna Small Theatre Lab is a welcoming creative space where playwrights, actors, directors, and theatre enthusiasts come together to explore new theatrical work.
Each session features live readings of original scripts, followed by inspiring conversation and respectful feedback. Writers can hear their work brought to life, performers can strengthen cold-read skills while helping to develop new characters, and live-theatre enthusiasts can experience the creative process firsthand.
Writers and participants of all experience levels are welcome. There is no cost to attend.
Participants should be comfortable discussing scripts that may contain adult themes and language.
Upcoming Theatre Labs
Join us at the next session.
All sessions take place from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Angus Ross Room at the Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch, located at 60 Worsley Street in Barrie.
Monday, October 5, 2026
6:00–8:30 p.m. · Angus Ross Room
- Visiting Chaos — a comedic one-act about family dynamics
- It’s All Over, Darling — four interconnected monologues
Monday, October 19, 2026
Bonus Lab6:00–8:30 p.m. · Angus Ross Room
- Daughter of the Country — a one-act with Indigenous themes
- Marginalia — set in a bookshop
Monday, November 2, 2026
6:00–8:30 p.m. · Angus Ross Room
- Murder as an Art Form — a comedic murder mystery
Monday, December 7, 2026
6:00–8:30 p.m. · Angus Ross Room
- Revised one-act: I Believe in Bank Robbers
Celebrating 10 Years
The Anna Small Theatre Lab will celebrate its 10th anniversary in January 2027. Details for this special anniversary gathering will be announced soon.
How Would You Like to Participate?
Submit a Script
Share an original script for consideration at a future Theatre Lab. We welcome work at any time and from writers at every stage of development. Using the subject line “Script submission,” email your script to: theatrelab@theatrebythebay.com
Attend a Session
Join us to listen, support local artists, and participate in the conversation. Visitors are welcome even if they are not submitting or reading a script.
Become a Reader
Volunteer to read a character during one of our informal script readings. Professional acting experience is not required.
Connect With the Anna Small Theatre Lab
Got questions about taking part?
If you’d like more details about submitting, attending, or reading at a Lab, complete the form and Theatre Lab Facilitator Trudee Romanek will follow up with you directly.
Emerging Arts Leaders
Presented by Angela Baldwin
A hands-on producing experience that builds real-world skills, confidence, leadership, and practical knowledge for emerging arts professionals.
What It Does
- →Provides practical producing experience through real projects
- →Offers mentorship, industry guidance, and professional learning
- →Builds skills in planning, coordination, marketing, and artistic leadership
- →Helps emerging producers grow toward sustainable careers in theatre
Why It Matters
- →Strengthens mentorship and professional guidance
- →Supports practical training rooted in real experience
- →Builds a stronger pipeline of future arts leaders year after year
“The Producer's Mentorship Program helps Theatre by the Bay invest in the next generation of arts leaders by turning learning into hands-on experience.”
Youth Ensemble
Presented by Larissa Mair and Associates
A youth-centred mentorship program that helps young people grow in confidence, creativity, teamwork, performance, and belonging through meaningful theatre experiences.
What It Does
- →Builds confidence, creativity, and self-expression
- →Provides mentorship, ensemble learning, and performance experience
- →Creates a welcoming space for young people to connect and belong
- →Encourages leadership, collaboration, and artistic growth
Why It Matters
- →Expands access to meaningful youth mentorship
- →Supports artistic learning in a welcoming environment
- →Helps young people build confidence through theatre
- →Strengthens the next generation of young artists and arts leaders
“The Mair Young Company Mentorship Program helps Theatre by the Bay invest in young artists by creating a space where learning, confidence, and creativity can thrive.”
Get Involved
Support the future of live theatre in Barrie.
Our education and mentorship programs are made possible by donors, sponsors, and community partners who believe in investing in the next generation of Canadian theatre-makers.