Guest Director Call for Pitches

The Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Winnipeg (www.uwinnipeg.ca/theatre-film) invites applications forGuest Directorfor Acting IV: Honours (THFM-4141) for a public production as the culmination of their degree. In addition to the usual role of a director, the reality of working with student actors requires simultaneous teaching and coaching as the cast puts into practice the skills they have been learning. In addition, the Guest Director works with student designers and student production team members who are gaining practical experience as part of their course work.

Our department’s main commitment is to practical theatre and film making within a liberal arts context. Both BA and BA (Hons) degrees are offered through a range of streams of theatre study, and we are one of Canada’s largest undergraduate programs offering this range of study. Our graduates can be found working in every aspect of theatre and film in Canada and beyond. This contract position is attached to our BA Honours training and in particular the Acting IV: Honours course, which focuses on style. The course cap is 12 students, but for 2026/27 the anticipated cast size will be 10-11 actors. Plays need to suit young actors. Final course enrolment will be determined by July 2026.

The successful candidate will be expected to be available for the following:

-RehearsalsfromFebruary 22 to March 29, 2027(rehearsal times: MWF 2:30 – 10:00 pm / TR 6:00 – 10:00pm) with the show running fromMarch 30, 2027 to April 3,2027.

• Pre-rehearsal design meetings with the senior design students will begin inNovember 2026with remote or in-person check-ins scheduled through until February. As per a professional directing gig, meeting with designers will require on average 2 hours of meetings every other week.
• Auditions within the Acting IV: Honours class for specific roles will take place in January 2026.
• The director will also be expected to generate the sound design for the production, which may be supported by a production student undertaking sourcing and editing.
• Depending on the nature of the show, additional time to source and work with consultants or supports (i.e. elders, intimacy directors or fight directors) may be required. The ability to have additional supports provided would need to be discussed in advance.

Thefee for this Independent Contractor contract is $9,982.50(inclusive of 6% vacation pay) based on standard rates for Contract Academic Staff (https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/hr/collective-agreements.html).

All interested candidates must send in the application a cover letter outlining their work, which may include a pitch for a specific play, and a professional resume with contact information for three professional references. We also reserve the right to contact previous employers. Please send the application to Melinda Tallin, Office Administrator 204.786.9955 or m.tallin@uwinnipeg.ca.

In the cover letter please address:

• The**“style”**of plays you are interested in and have experience directing;
• Your experience working in an academic setting or with student actors;
• If you choose to pitch a specific play include a rationale for its fit for our students and any details on your production concept;
• If you choose not to pitch a specific play include information on types of plays that you would be excited to undertake with students.

Please note that, should you pitch a specific play, we reserve the right to program that play at some point in the future whether or not you are the successful candidate. You have a right to your specific concept, but not the play choice.

The success of a submission is also not necessarily tied to the play that is pitched. An offer may be made to an applicant separate from their proposed play or play style. All play submissions will be assessed by a faculty committee.

We are open to submissions from experienced directors. Please only apply if you have at least two years of experience working with student actors in an academic setting and relevant professional level directing experience. Like so many University theatre programs we are seeking to redress historical inequities in our hiring of Directors. Members of equity seeking groups are strongly encouraged to apply, including candidates who draw from directing methodologies beyond the Western perspective. At this time, we cannot accept plays that are in development or being workshopped for publication or future performances.

To support regional capacity building and to build experience amongst our past graduates, substantial professional directing experience will be required in lieu of directing in an academic setting.

Previous applicants will need to reapply.

Applications received byAPRIL 15, 2026will receive full consideration. We anticipate shortlisting by early May for interviews and making selections by the middle of May.

Please note that all positions are subject to final budgetary approval. The posted position is required provided there is sufficient enrollment to offer the course. If you require more information please contact: Melinda Tallin, Office Administrator 204.786.9955 or m.tallin@uwinnipeg.ca

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.