LOS ANGELES, CA — Sundance Institute today announced the call for entries for its 2011 Theatre Lab to be held at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada, from March 27-April 17, 2011. The centerpiece of Sundance Institute’s Theatre Program, the Theatre Lab is a three-week developmental retreat designed to provide a private, creative environment for playwrights, directors, composers and librettists to devise and refine new work with the support of creative advisors, full casts and rehearsal space. Full submission details may be found at www.sundance.org/theatre.

The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at the Banff Centre temporarily replaces the annual Sundance Theatre Lab, traditionally held each July in Utah. Earlier this year the Institute also held successful pilot Labs at MASS MoCA and on New York’s Governors Island.

“We have been incredibly fortunate finding temporary homes for our artists’ labs and aligning with like- minded nonprofit organizations that share Sundance Institute’s mission of nurturing independent artists,” said Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director, Sundance Institute Theatre Program. ”The Banff Centre has a worldwide reputation for inspiring creativity and supporting the arts in all its forms. This is an extraordinary opportunity to meet and interact with Canadian colleagues and to immerse ourselves in the glorious physical surroundings that inspire participants. This retreat atmosphere reflects the touchstone of our programming, wherever we bring the Sundance Institute name. The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at the Banff Centre will offer the full range of traditional support for which we are known,” he added.

Kelly Robinson, The Banff Centre’s Director of Theatre Arts, said, “The artist is at the center of our mandate, and the development of new works is a core mission of the Centre. The Banff Centre’s record of commissioning new works, and its 37-year history of commitment to playwrights through the annual Playwright’s Colony, makes this collaboration with Sundance Institute especially meaningful. We are delighted to partner with Sundance to support the 2011 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at The Banff Centre.”

ELIGIBILITY

Lab participants will be chosen from an open submission process. The Program is interested in both established and emerging theatre artists, as well as artists making a transition from areas outside of theatre. Artists are encouraged to apply online quickly at www.sundance.org/theatreapp; the deadline for submissions is October 1, 2010.

PROJECT SELECTION

Through open submissions, Sundance Institute Theatre Program considers an estimated 700 projects. Each full-time Fellow (playwright, director, and collaborator) receives a $500 honorarium and company of actors (if applicable), selected by Sundance Institute in collaboration with the Fellows, to support his or her project. It provides professional actors, dramaturges and playwrights rehearsal space and stage management for the collaborative team working on each project. At the end of each Lab, projects will culminate in an informal presentation for the community only, followed by a feedback session with Sundance artistic staff and guest Creative Advisors. Actors are selected for their professionalism, versatility and suitability for the development process. Actors operate on a Special Agreement with Actors’ Equity Association during the Theatre Labs.

Sundance Institute Theatre Program

Through its developmental activities at the Sundance Institute Playwright’s Retreat at Ucross, the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at White Oak, Sundance Institute East Africa, and recent pilot theatre programs at MASS MoCA and Governors Island, The Sundance Institute Theatre Program identifies and assists emerging theatre artists, contributes to the creative growth of established artists, and encourages and supports the development of new work for the stage. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director Philip Himberg, more than 85% of the work coming out of the Program’s labs has found professional production at theatres across the United States, Mexico and Europe. Recent productions of Sundance-developed work include: Passing Strange by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, which won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, The Lily’s Revenge by Taylor Mac, The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson, and Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker.

Sundance Institute

Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, An Inconvenient Truth and Angels in America. www.sundance.org.

The Banff Centre

The Banff Centre is Canada’s creative leader in arts and culture. In The Banff Centre’s powerful mountain setting in the heart of Banff National Park, exceptional artists and leaders from around the world create and perform new works of art; share skills and knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment; and explore ideas and develop solutions in the arts and leadership. www.banffcentre.ca.