Artistic Leadership Residency

NTS will create space to investigate what leadership is—right now—through shared questions and experiences guided by two prompts: Honesty and Right Now. What is this moment asking of leaders? What’s at the core of why we do what we do?

Across Canada and beyond, the theatre ecology continues to navigate a challenging climate. What questions are leaders asking themselves? Which challenges do we share, and which are specific to each context?

We will assemble a national cohort of aspiring or newly appointed leaders for a one-week, in-person residency at NTS in Montreal, February 16–20, 2026. Because leaders thrive in community with peers and mentors, our goal is to build connections across geography and generations—to contract the country for one week so that, when it expands again, participants carry new relationships and perspectives.

Over four days, a different guest leader will open a conversation with the cohort—four conversations—followed by a fifth: a day devoted to dialogue within the cohort. Our hope is to seed a network that will continue to support and nourish each other for years to come.

Guest leaders: Nina Lee Aquino, Franco Boni, Jeanne LeSage, and Sherry Yoon.

Eligibility: NTS welcomes applications from aspiring leaders with seven or fewer years of experience across all forms of leadership (artistic directors, producers, managing directors, and more). Priority will be given to applicants affiliated with an organization.

What we provide:
Travel, accommodation, and a small per diem

Space at the National Theatre School to host conversations and sessions

Four guest-led conversations (Nina Lee Aquino, Franco Boni, Jeanne LeSage, Sherry Yoon)

What participants provide:

Thought-provoking questions and an openness to collaborate

Readiness to lead a session

Willingness to share moments of challenge and success

Availability to be in Montreal for the full residency

Cohort size: 8 participants

How to apply:

Email the following to Dean Fleming at [email protected]
with “Artistic Leadership Residency” in the subject line:

A short bio to help us get to know you

A letter describing how this residency addresses a need in your practice

Your résumé

Deadline: October 24, 2025, 9 a.m.