Apply

About RISER

RISER Regina is a collaborative producing model, presented by On Cue Performance Hub & Why Not Theatre, for theatre and interdisciplinary artists to create and present new work. RISER Regina will support the development and production of four new projects in the 2025 season, while providing a year-long mentorship and training program for all RISER artists.

Originally developed by Why Not Theatre in 2014, RISER was created to address challenges in producing independent theatre. RISER Regina connects senior leadership from the performing arts community with underserved artists to maximize existing infrastructures, share resources and risk, help build new audiences, and support a commitment to create and innovate. 

How does RISER Regina work?

As part of the RISER model, we bring together a group of artists/collectives/companies that are each creating a production. We then create a repertory performance schedule, which allows all the companies to share a single space, taking turns to perform their shows. The model covers the shared umbrella costs of venue, technical production and basic publicity, and the individual companies are responsible for their own artist fees and other costs, such as additional marketing and set builds. 

As a result of sharing resources, past RISER productions have been able to produce their shows for 33% less than if they were producing on their own. Senior Partners on RISER also make investments to the model, which further supports the production of work. As companies involved in supporting these artists at the early stage, Senior Partners are then encouraged to build relationships for future collaboration, such as presenting a remount of a RISER production in their own season, or providing creative feedback and input throughout the process.

Who is RISER Regina for?

RISER Regina is designed for project-based individual artists or collectives from across Saskatchewan. Prior independent producing experience is an asset, but not a must. There is no specific age range. The terms “emerging” or “emerged” do not apply. We’re interested in collaborating with artists who don’t have administrative infrastructure or consistent access to production at established venues. In the spirit of this shared resource model, participants in RISER Regina must be generous, flexible, collaborative, and​ curious​, as well as willing to share​ and​ work in new ways​.

On Cue Performance Hub invites artists of all disciplines, at all stages of their career, from any background, to consider applying. As our RISER siblings in Edmonton put it:

“We believe in people and process over product: come as you are; create from where you’re at; learn, fail, try again, fail better; tend to your whole self; share art, share kindness, share in community. Mentorship and learning is at the core of everything we do: we’re still learning, we’ll never stop learning, and we want to share in those lessons with you.”

What RISER Provides

RISER Regina will provide you with:

• Ongoing and project specific mentoring, assistance, and consultation with On Cue Performance Hub and Why Not Theatre artistic and administrative staff in all areas of producing at individual & group meetings. This includes hands-on support in grant applications, fundraising, and whatever else you need to be successful.

• Developmental support as needed/requested;

• The technical support you need to get the project done;

• 3 weeks of rehearsal space assigned on the basis of needs and availability;

• A shared Lighting Designer, selected and paid for by RISER Regina;

• A shared Production Manager (PM)/Technical Director (TD), selected and paid for by RISER Regina.

  • NOTE: you may still want or need your own PM and TD for managing your show’s specific technical and building needs; the RISER Regina PM/TD focuses on coordination and management of the RISER Regina model itself;

• A shared Publicist, selected and paid for by RISER Regina;

• ​2-3 eight-hour days of tech time in the performance space (schedule and hours TBD);

• Technicians for load-in, load-out, and run of shows, selected by RISER Regina;

• 6-10 public performances over a two-week time frame in May/June 2025;

• Video to digital on-demand production and distribution support with On Cue and an emerging filmmaker through On Cue | On Demand;

• Box office, ticketing, and Front of House support via On Cue Performance Hub.

  • NOTE: ticket prices and policies will be set by RISER Regina in consultation with the each RISER company with considerations for Pay-What-You-Will options;

• 100% of Your Net Box-Office Revenues.

What don’t you get as part of RISER Regina?

Since this is a shared producing model, not a presentation series or festival, some responsibilities fall primarily to you, including: 

• Audience outreach and ticket sales.

  • NOTE: RISER Regina will help participating artists develop cross-promotional, pass, and/or ticket bundle options, including Pay-What-You-Will options;

• Show-specific marketing, including print and digital outreach.

  • NOTE: RISER Regina will support general marketing;

• Props, costumes, and set pieces specific to your production; and

• Contracting and compensating your artists and creative team.

How to Apply

Click the apply button at the bottom of this page and fill out the questions, or send us a letter (max 2-pages), or a video and/or audio-recording (max 5 minutes) to our email outlining the following information:

• Who you are, what you do, and why you want to be a part of RISER Regina;

• Your artistic experience;

• If relevant, past producing experience;

• Please include a c/v or artist bio if available.

• An overview of your project: what is it, why are you passionate about it, who’s involved (confirmed and even hopeful); and

• What you’re hopeful to gain from being a part of RISER.

• In addition to your letter or video (not included in the 2-page limit), please include a brief budget overview outlining anticipated artist/material expenses and funding goals. This doesn’t need to be a detailed breakdown – we’re not assessing your budgeting skills – just show the scale of team and technical support you’d want to get the project done.

Materials must be submitted by 11:59pm CST on August 6, 2024.

How are RISER Regina applications evaluated?

Participants in RISER are selected by a jury of diverse representatives from the local community, former RISER project participants, and overseen by On Cue Performance Hub and Why Not Theatre. We want you to take artistic risks. We do not evaluate the artistic merit of the production. ​We focus on the artist: who they are and why they need this chance to show their work. The evaluation criteria are: 

• Need: whether RISER Regina is essential for your/your show’s trajectory;

• ​Diversity: of culture, language, form, content, etc.;​

• Feasibility:​ financial, logistical, and technical; and

• Experience​: in creating, producing, performing, project management, etc.

All applicants will be notified of the result of their application no later than August 31, 2024.

Note that the selected artists will be encouraged, if possible, to put applications in to the SK Arts Independent Artist Grant for October 1, and possibly March 15.