Welcome to the all new RISER Edmonton project.
Since 2021, RISER has supported 13 new performance projects in productions, readings, and development workshops. This year, we’re launching a brand new two-year model in partnership with three local Festivals to better support sustainable, long-term art-making.
Click here for a plain-text PDF of the information below.
Applications are currently closed. Check back in Spring 2025 for our next intake.
What is RISER?
RISER is a collaborative producing model originally developed by Why Not Theatre in 2014 to address barriers to independent producing in Toronto, Ontario.
In RISER, Common Ground works to take obstacles out of the way of you producing a big, bold new idea through a training program and (new in 2025) TWO presentation opportunities for your work.
Our support might look like:
- Administrative support;
AKA: How do I contract artists? Who should I talk to about (insert anything)? Am I missing anything in this email? - Grant-writing support;
AKA: We’ll stay up 11:59pm to hit submit with you - Hands-on help building budgets and calendars;
AKA: We’ve got some great spreedsheets for you - Assistance in liaising with partners and collaborators;
AKA: We’ll connect you to all sorts of great humans in our city and across Canada - And helping you get access to other spaces and resources!
RISER artists also participate in “All-RISER Sessions”: 8-10 exciting producing workshops in things like contracting, working with technical artists, marketing, accessibility, and more facilitated by Common Ground with guest speakers from across Edmonton’s professional theatre industry.
Is there any compensation or fees attached to the program?
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no fee attached to participating in RISER’s training program.
As your show’s producer, you will be responsible for funding your project, producer, and artist fees (but we’ll help you do that every step of the way).
What you will be provided with is a package of in-kind resources along the way to reduce your direct costs of producing a work at a Festival by up to one-third. This includes, across both presenting opportunities, at no cost to you:
- A performance venue,
- Technical and event labour,
- Ticketing & box office management,
- Marketing & outreach,
- Accessibility support,
- Promotional/archival photography & videography,
- Hands-on support building your team and administering your project,
- and more!
Artists will receive presenting fees both from the RISER New Works Festival work-in-process showing in 2025, and (where applicable) from their 2026 Festival Partner.
So what’s new this year?
To address longer time needed to develop teams, funds, and (of course) the art itself, we’re expanding to a two-year model.
Upon being invited to the program, all four artists/companies will be paired with one of four Edmonton-based presenting organizations: Common Ground Arts (that’s us!), SkirtsAfire Festival, Azimuth Theatre’s Expanse Festival, or the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.
In 2025, we’ll be launching the RISER New Works Festival. At the 2025 Festival, all RISER artists will share work-in-process readings and excerpts of their projects alongside other great programming celebrating new ambitious multidisciplinary creation in Edmonton.
Following their 2025 RISER Festival work-in-process showings, the four projects will continue developing their work towards a guaranteed presentation in 2026 at their paired Festival.
YEAR ONE (Summer 2024 – Spring 2025)
- You’ll attend All-RISER workshops and get one-on-one assistance from Common Ground producers in grantwriting, finding project partners/mentors/artists, and accessing development opportunities (special thanks to our Development Partners, Catalyst Theatre and Citadel Theatre!)
- You’ll also attend a couple of meetings with your presenting partner to discuss potential opportunities for you at their Festival.
- At the end of year one (May 2025), you’ll share a work-in-process of your project at the brand new RISER New Works Festival, hosted by Common Ground Arts.
YEAR TWO (Summer 2025-Summer 2026)
- You’ll work with your paired presenter to share your work as part of their Festival. This may be a full production, staged reading, workshop presentation, or anything in between based on what your partner is able to offer your project at its stage of development.
- Your presenting opportunity will be scaled to meet what your project needs & what your partner is able to offer.
- Throughout year two, all RISER artists will have access to the Common Ground team to help you get ready for presentation.
Keep reading for more details about each presenting opportunity!
Who is a good fit for RISER Edmonton?
RISER is built to support any artist or project facing barriers to professional opportunities.
This might include:
- Artists facing cultural/linguistic/physical barriers,
- Artists working on stories and styles that are underrepresented on Edmonton’s stages,
- Or artists with significant artistic practices who are beginning to transition to producer roles.
Ultimately, remember that RISER is a producer training program, not an artist training program. We want you to bring your artistic practice — we’re here to help you figure out the how. If you’re looking for a big new challenge and you’re willing to put in the time and work to scale your practice, that’s where RISER comes in.
We support artists and companies from all performance disciplines. At this time, the program is restricted to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, the Enoch Cree Nation, Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.
Collectives and companies may apply so long as you do not receive any type of operating funding. Any collectives/organizations who work solely on a project-to-project basis are eligible. (Not sure if this is you? Get in touch!)
The 2025-26 RISER Festival Partners
Click on each of the following to learn more about the four RISER presenting opportunities!
Applicants are able to identify their preferred partners as part of their submission to the program. Final selections including partner pairings will be made by a panel of producers from each organization and communicated to successful projects alongside their invitation to the program.
RISER New Works Festival (Common Ground Arts Society)
The RISER New Works Festival will be a brand new offering from Common Ground Arts Society. In 2026, it will feature work-in-process showings of the RISER 2026-27 participants and a mainstage presentation of our paired project for the RISER 2025-26 program.
- For programming at the 2026 Festival in May (in addition to your 2025 work-in-process showing).
- The slot will offer between 4-8 full performance slots and require artists to set/strike their show between performances.
- We are able to support any discipline or level of background, but will prioritize projects with some prior development (a script reading/workshop, work-in-process showing, etc.)
From Common Ground:
Common Ground Arts works primarily with artists and companies experimenting at the margins of artistic presentation or audience-artist relationships. We aim to platform artists and projects whose work starts conversations and addresses gaps in what is seen on our city’s stages.
The project paired with RISER will be the mainstage show of our 2026 Festival and will be presented alongside work-in-process showings of projects starting their RISER journey next year.The artists will receive:
- a presenting fee between $3,000-$7,000 dependent on show scale,
- a venue with technical and event labour,
- and hands-on support in the second year of their RISER program from the Common Ground team in producing their show.
Expanse Movement Arts Festival (Azimuth Theatre)
Now in its 19th season, Azimuth’s Expanse Festival, held at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, champions the inclusion of all body types on stage, offering a diverse reflection of our world.
- For programming at the 2026 Festival in March-April.
- The Expanse Festival is open to welcoming any discipline, and will be most able to support a work in process as opposed to a full-fledge production.
- The theme for the 2026 festival is “Growth”.
From Azimuth Theatre:
Any piece presented at Expanse must have been produced ethically, ideally with additional funding outside of our presenting fees to support artists and process. As an organization, Azimuth strives to elevate and amplify underrepresented voices and stories, so pieces who meet these intersections would be ideal.
Any piece presented as part of the Expanse x RISER collaboration will be offered a minimum of 2 festival performances, with a minimum presentation fee of $1500/per show (with the potential for more performance opportunities – funding dependant)In-kind support includes (but not limited to):
- Accessibility Consultation and Implementation – (ASL Interpretation, Audio Description and Relaxed Performances)
- Technical Support – Tech Rider Mentorship
- 3 Camera – Video Archival
- Production Photography
- Free Admission to all Expanse Workshops
- Marketing and admin support
- Performance venue rental (including tech and front-of-house labour costs)
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival (Edmonton Fringe Theatre)
The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the largest, longest running Fringe Theatre Festival in North America. Edmonton Fringe was born of a revolution. We are a grass roots, DIY movement that cultivates ongoing collisions between community and art. We exist because theatre exists, and what exists here doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. The vibrant success of the Edmonton Fringe Festival is thanks to the more than 43,000 Artists who have bravely taken an artistic risk with us since we exploded onto the scene in 1982. It’s thanks to the more than 500,000 Fringers who fringe to their fullest with us every August. It’s thanks to the more than 1,000 Volunteers who continue to help build one of the world’s most influential arts movements.
- For programming at either the 2025 OR 2026 Festival based on the needs of the project (August 14-24, 2025; August 13 – 23, 2026)
- Fringe is looking for anything and everything that’s suitable for the stage.
- This slot will prioritize equity-seeking artists.
Fringe Theatre is offering one (1) lottery venue spot and 6 performances to an artist/artistic group as part of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. Indoor shows are awarded approximately $10,000 of in-kind support. Specifically, Lottery recipients receive:– performance venue, equipped with seating risers, chairs, staging, and masking; lighting and sound equipment; two (2) professional Technicians for a venue walkthrough, one (1) technical rehearsal, and each performance; and box office, advertising, and marketing support.
SkirtsAfire Festival
SkirtsAfire is Edmonton’s theatre and multidisciplinary arts festival featuring the work of women. The 11 day festival happens every year in multiple venues across Old Strathcona in conjunction with International Women’s Day to showcase the diversity of women’s stories.
- For programming at the 2026 Festival in February-March.
- SkirtsAfire focuses on highlighting women’s stories in all the diverse storytelling forms they may take. Theatre has always been the main thrust of the festival, but the Festival is looking to expand the definition of what theatre can look like.
- As a multidisciplinary festival, we are interested in work that explores the collaboration of two (or more) art forms. SkirtsAfire is looking for work that tells underrepresented narratives in innovative ways.
From SkirtsAfire:
Projects must be women-led. If the project is built by a collective, people of all genders are welcome to collaborate, but we will prioritize work that centers women artists and women’s stories. SkirtsAfire Festival values diversity in the artists we represent and therefore welcomes artists of all diverse backgrounds, including cis and trans women, non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and artists of all ethnicities and all abilities.
As we are open to projects in all stages of creation, the support will be dependent on where the artist is in their development process. At minimum, the RISER artist will receive an opportunity to showcase their work at our 2026 festival. They will have a minimum of one public performance in one of our venues. SkirtsAfire will provide technical staff, marketing and administrative support, ticket management, as well as an artist fee. Rehearsal space, show materials, collaborators, and other needs will be the responsibility of the project artist/company.
How to apply
Click the button below for an application form! The form will collect basic contact and project information as well as confirm your eligibility. The main basis of your application will be a letter (three pages maximum) outlining:
- Who you are, what you do, and why you want to be a part of RISER Edmonton;
- About your artistic experience;
- If relevant, past producing experience;
- An overview of your project: what is it, why are you passionate about it, who’s involved (confirmed and even hopeful), scale of production (specific personnel or equipment/design needs); and
- What you’re hopeful to gain from being a part of RISER.
You may also include a CV or resume, though this is not required.
Remember that RISER is first and foremost a producer training program. We’re all excited about great ideas and great projects — but first and foremost, we want to know why you are at the right point in your career for a project like RISER.
Some questions that may be useful to answer in your application:
- Are you encountering barriers to accessing the next stage of your professional career?
- Is there a specific type of mentorship you think would help you, but you don’t know how to find?
- How does your project mark a new chapter in your practice that you need a boost from a program like RISER to reach?
Applications are currently closed. Check back in Spring 2025 for our next intake.
Guide to a great RISER application
Common Ground’s Managing Producer, Mac Brock is available to help you build your application. Click here to book an appointment to discuss the program and how it might be able to support your project.
Click the items below for some frequently asked questions!
Is there any compensation or fees attached to the program?
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no fee attached to participating in RISER. Instead, you will be provided with a package of in-kind resources along the way to reduce your direct costs of producing a work at a Festival by up to one-third. This includes RISER providing event labour, producing mentorship, marketing support, equipment rentals, and more at no cost to the producer.
You as the project producer will be responsible for funding your projects and artist fees (but we’ll help you do that every step of the way).
Artists will receive presenting fees both from the RISER New Works Festival work-in-process showing in 2025, and (where applicable) from their 2026 Festival Partner.
Note that there are no presenting fees applicable from the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, but in turn RISER will pay the artist’s registration fees and the artist will retain 100% of their Box Office.
I want a mainstage production at the end of RISER. Is that guaranteed?
No, the scale of your presentation is not guaranteed. We recommend you take a close look at each presenter’s opportunities in the section above. Each presenter has a different scope of presentation to offer.
It is your responsibility as a RISER producer in year one to dedicate time to the development of your show – the scope of the final offer you receive from your presenting partner will be dependent on the status of your project (including funding you’ve accessed, show development you’ve completed, team members you’ve contacted, etc).
How are RISER applications being assessed?
RISER applications will go through two rounds of evaluation.
In the first round, a panel of producers from each partner organization will review all applications based on RISER’s criteria:
- Need: Is RISER essential for you to be able to create this project?
- Diversity: Are you demonstrating something we don’t often see on Edmonton’s stages (in form, content, language, culture, or style)?
- Feasibility: Is this project achievable in the resources and opportunities RISER is able to provide?
- Experience: Can you reasonably complete this project with your level of experience plus the training & resources provided by RISER?
The highest ranking projects will then be paired with presenting partners based on each partner’s specific needs and capacity to support projects. The four paired projects will make up the 2025-26 RISER cohort.
What is my job as a RISER project producer?
As a RISER producer, you are responsible for the development and execution of your project. This includes writing and submitting grants, hiring artists, marketing your show, and working with your presenting partner.
That sounds like a ton of work! We totally agree.
Our job as your friends at RISER is to make all of those tasks easier. That might look like staying up with you to polish that grant draft, answering your “how does this thing work?” texts, or connecting you to incredible folks we know who might take your team and project to the next level. It also looks like a series of workshops we’ll program where you’ll hear from some of our favourite producers in Canada about how they like to work.
At the end of Year One (May 2025), we’ll produce the RISER New Works Festival, where you’ll have a guaranteed slot to share a work-in-process of your project. We’ll give you a presenting fee and pay for your venue and labour. You’ll be responsible for building your presentation.
Then, in Year Two, you’ll be responsible for providing your presenting partner with everything they need — but we’ll still be available to help every step of the way.
I’ve never made a show before OR I have made many shows before. Is RISER for me?
We’ve had many artists come through RISER having never produced or created a performance project before – even artists who’ve never worked professionally in the arts!
What’s important to remember is that RISER is a producer training program and not an artist training program. We’ll help you access resources and mentorship, but ultimately the creative leadership of the show is all yours. If you’re less experienced as an artist, we recommend approaching the program with a development/small-scale project rather than a big production.
RISER is designed for artists looking to take the next big step or risk in their creative practice. If you have an extensive artistic background, remember that RISER is a producer training program: If this is a skill you have not necessarily developed yet in your practice, RISER might totally be the right step for you.
My show is still just an idea OR my show has been previously produced. Is RISER for me?
Yes, projects of all sizes and histories are welcome in the RISER program. Note that your presenting opportunities, both in the RISER Festival in 2025 and your paired Festival in 2026, will be scaled to meet your project’s stage of development.
AKA: If your project is still very early in its development, your RISER opportunities will be geared towards script/performance development over polished production.
Our goal with RISER is to support projects on their way to future opportunities. If your project has already been produced, you should have a clear pitch for what you need from RISER to scale your project to its next life after RISER. Does it need to be rebuilt from scratch? Was it produced on a small scale that you’re looking to grow?
Is there such a thing as too big OR too small for RISER?
RISER aims to support projects on their way to long-term touring and festival lives following their participation in the program. Each presenting opportunity provides artists with between 1-8 performance slot(s) — and each requires artists to set and strike their shows between slots. Ideally, projects are geared towards festival formats with quick set-up times and limited or scalable technical needs.
We are a company/collective. Can we apply for RISER?
Companies and collectives who do not receive any type of core or operating funding are eligible for the RISER program. Collectives/companies must work solely on a project-to-project basis.
I have great photos and video of a past workshop/presentation of my project. Why can’t I put it in my application?
As excited as we are about your bold, exciting ideas, RISER is designed to be equitable to those who have been historically excluded from professional arts work. This means we intentionally do not assess your artistic or technical skill. We want to know where you’re at in your practice, and how this project could get you to the next chapter.
Still have questions?
Common Ground’s Managing Producer, Mac Brock is available to help you build your application. Click here to book an appointment to discuss the program and how it might be able to support your project.
Or, email us at admin@commongroundarts.ca and a staff member will get back to you ASAP!
2025-26 Presenting Partners
2025-26 Development Partners
