RISER Edmonton is a collaborative producing model for theatre and interdisciplinary artists to create and present new work. RISER Edmonton has supported 3-5 projects and companies per year since the program’s inception in 2022.
Originally developed by Why Not Theatre in 2014, RISER was created to address challenges in producing independent theatre. RISER Edmonton 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.
Click here to become a Common Ground member to get up-to-date info about RISER application intakes!
How does it work?
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 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.
All of this work takes place over two years with two milestone presentations:
- A work-in-process showing at the end of year one through the RISER New Works Festival.
- A run at another amazing partner festival! Our current Festival Partners include Edmonton Fringe Theatre, SkirtsAfire, and Azimuth Theatre (Expanse Festival).
Common Ground acts as project mentors and consultants through the whole process, as well as contributing to in-kind resources for any of the project’s development work.
Who is RISER Edmonton for?
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!)
How do I get involved?
How are RISER Edmonton applications evaluated?
Participants in RISER are selected by a jury of diverse representatives from the local community, former RISER project participants, and overseen by Common Ground Arts Society.
We do not evaluate the artistic merit of the production. We focus on the artist: who you are and why you need this chance to show your work. The evaluation criteria are:
Need: Is RISER Edmonton is essential for your/your show’s trajectory? Have there been barriers for you in accessing project support?
Diversity: Is any part of the culture, language, form, content, etc. in the project underrepresented on Edmonton stages?
Feasibility: Can the project reasonably be completed with the support and framework RISER provides?
Experience: Does the applicant’s existing experience match the scale of the proposed project?
Click here to become a Common Ground member to get up-to-date info about RISER application intakes!
