Directing Intensive at Banff Centre

I'm grateful to have recently participated in the inaugural Directing Intensive at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, supported by a scholarship through the Maclab Enterprises Endowment Fund.

Led by director and artistic leader Weyni Mengesha, the intensive brought together a cohort of directors from across North America for an immersive exploration of rehearsal practice, text analysis, directing actors, artistic leadership, and collaborative design processes.

Throughout the program, we also had the opportunity to learn from guest artists and theatre leaders including Stafford Arima, Thomas Ryder Payne, and Julie Fox, whose insights expanded conversations around directing, sound, design collaboration, and creative leadership.

The experience provided valuable mentorship, meaningful artistic exchange, and a broader perspective on contemporary theatre-making. I'm thankful to Weyni, the Banff Centre team, my fellow cohort members, and the donors whose generosity made this opportunity possible.

I look forward to bringing these lessons into future rehearsal rooms and productions.