We are still doing residencies, but in a modified form. We will be coming into the schools to create some really cool video-based stories. Using Green screens we will be able to place students in an amazing array of locations. We'll also be able to keep students farther apart - and not touching props that other students have used.
To make this switch we are training all of our artists to be videographers. We are investing in $100,000 of video equipment to make this work and look great.
All students will be able to be in the videos (each class will create a separate video) and they will shared with parents. The videos will use a lot of different special techniques and will be able to be done on any theme.
If school board restrictions regarding guests are still in place in January, we will be offering fully digital video story telliing residencies. We are working on that format now in case it is needed. The AFA is allowing schools to reschedule as necessary during 2020-21, but the funds cannot be carried over to 2021-22. So, if we can't physically come to your school, we can still work with your students via zoom and other software. We'll still make great videos and we'll even be able to still Green Screen students into magical locations.
It is likley that fully on-line residencies would have a modified time-line. As we will have no touring costs, we will be able to increase the amount of time that artists work with each class. The residency may also work with some classes one week and then others in a different week. We will have a full plan for the On-line Residency by Dec. 1.
In each Trickster Residency, we create an original stories with up to 600 participants.
The storios are based on a theme chosen by the school and developed with the assistance of Trickster. Recent themes have included: Kids as Global Citizens, The History of the Cowboy, Bullying, Literary Genres. The Wild World of Science, The Leader in Me, Canada 150, and Reconciliation.
From K-3 to K-12, from 50 students to 600, we've done it all. No matter what type of school you have, we can help you create stories that will astound you.
There is funding assistance available from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. This can cover 50%-75% of the cost of your residency (up to $15,000). The application deadline is April 1 each year. Click here for more details about the AFA Artists & Education grant and how to apply.
Take a look at some videos about the residency program in our video section .
Trickster celebrated its 40th Anniversary in the 2019/20 Season. Over the years, we have completed more than 900 residencies in communities around the province, and have featured over 250,000 Albertans in a Trickster performance!
Coming soon!
Usually we use a lot of props to tell a very physical story, but our new video stories residency program will be different. We'll be using Green Screen technology to drop your students into different locations and situations. We'll be using a lot of graphic overlays and fun video techniques to make it all look great.
It will keep students safe and will provide a great opportunity to tell stories in a new way. We can drop students into historical locations, or into the water- like this kid relating to a water drop.
We're a company of physical theatre. You might have guessed that from the pictures.
This is how we can create an original show with up to 600 actors in 1 week. We discover the show through a very simple group improv process, and then take what we've found and figure out what kind of story we can tell with it.
We make this all very exciting to watch- and act in - by using a whole lot of different props. Class sets of bathroom plungers, bins, bamboo poles, pool noodles, scarves etc. Big props like tables, parachutes and crash mats. And our signature styles - black light and giant shadow plays.
Of course we support all that with floor to ceiling curtains, a big sound and light rig, and costumes for 600.
We started out as a clown company in 1980.
We're big on dance and movement.
Many of us also work in the improv world.
We like to make cool images.
We believe theatre has the power to change lives - and the world.
We're adaptable - we're moving quickly to invent a whole new residency program (actually 2) because of Covid.
Our goal is to make the residency fit your school and community in the best way possible.
Customizing your residency takes 3-4 days of time by our residency program manager and starts early in the school year. This planning is done by phone, email and Zoom, in co-operation with the person at the school who is co-ordinating the project.
This process involves theme development, assigning theatre or video styles to classes, working out all the logistics regarding use of rehearsal spaces In order to facilitate this process we supply you with a school residency co-ordinator manual as well as a parent co-ordinator manual.
If you are doing a Kids Go Global residency, we provide you with web-based tools to plan the residency, as well as tools to track projects both locally and globally. See the Kids Go Global pages for more info.
Whatever you want to do - we can help make it happen.
Some really popular themes include You really can choose anything you want – but these are some common ones...
Roots & Wings
Explore the history of your community, unearth stories about the past, celebrate your local heroes, and imagine what the future looks like in your community. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Canada
Explore what it means to be Canadian. Students can present stories about the history of Canada, the landscape, the people, and the future of our country. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Leadership
Drawing inspiration from The Leader in Me principles, this theme explores the leadership values that inspire our youth, helping students determine the steps towards their own success. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Kids Go Global
Act out global issues and extend your learning. The Kids Go Global website provides you with resources to learn more about the world, run school projects, and share student work. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Finding the Balance
Reconciliation is a predominent topic in Canada. Help your students understand the current state of Indigeneous culture by exploring the history and hardships of Canada‘s early inhabitants. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Literary Genres
Each class will create a theatre piece based on a literary genre - Science Fiction, Documentary, Fables, Fairy Tales, Poetry, Detective Novels, Historical Fiction, and more.
Science: Alive and Kicking
Explore the science curriculum by acting it out. We can create a physical understanding of any topic including plant growth, flight, magnetism, phases of the moon, and more. See how other schools have explored this theme...
Your Own Unique Theme!
Any theme is possible, click the link to see what other schools have done in the past. See how other schools have explored this theme...
The new video-stories residencies will still have artists working with classes, but will enable social distancing. There will be no shows as we will be creating videos and sharing them with parents on-line (password protected).
We'll be posting more info about what the week looks like soon. Classes will still have workshops each day with the artists.
When the residency week arrives it all gets pretty big and exciting.
Monday
On Monday morning at 7:30 we load in all of our props, costumes, lighting and sound. We meet with staff, then set up for an assembly for the whole school. Here we introduce the Residency process and get to know the school. Then the workshops take place, with 3-8 workshops happening at the same time all day long. Every class gets a workshop on Monday.
After school on Monday the Trickster team hangs curtains from the gym ceiling and sets up all of the lighting and sound.
Tuesday, Wednesday
Every class gets a workshop Tuesday to Thursday. All day Tuesday and Wednesday we work with the classes to create and rehearse the show. Meanwhile our parent team liason is working with the parent team to help organize the sewing of costumes, making of props, and helping with scripting.
Thursday
In the morning we work with all classes. In the afternoon we start bringing classes down one at a time to the gym to add lights, sound effects and music.
Friday
More tech rehearsals in the morning. Friday afternoon there is a show for students and parents, and Friday night there is another show for parents. (if there is enough room for parents and students in the gym at the same time, there is only a show Friday night and longer rehearsal blocks on Thursday).
After the last show we take it all down (90 minutes) , load up the trailer and van, and then take a rest until the next project starts on Monday.
Post Residency Support
After the residency is over (and before it begins) the school is able to use the Trickster support websites. These are: act2learn.net & kidsgoglobal.net
The Kids Go Global program offers long-term web tools, as well as a possible long-term connection to Trickster Theatre. It is a program that is gaining attention fast. Contact us for details.
“I was so nervous to perform in front of people, but it was SO FUN!”
- James, Student, Cambrian Heights School, Calgary
"Trickster removed all barriers in order for our shyest and most vulnerable students to shine. Our staff recognized the impact that it had on each of our students and our parent community was blown away by Friday's final performance. I would highly recommend this opportunity to any school fortunate to have them."
- Cathy Cameron, Principal, St. Martin de Porres, Red Deer
"I wish we could keep doing this all of the time!"
- Kayla, Student, Gus Wetter School, Castor
The AFA is allowing schools that already have funding for 2020-21, as well as those carrying funding over from 2019-20, to re-schedule their dates as necessary this school year. However, the funding must be used by June 2021 or it needs to be returned to the AFA.
If it is not possible for Trickster to physically come into your school in 2020-21, you can do a fully digital residency with us. We will provide you with an outline of that program and you would need to contact the AFA to get approval, but they have told us that this will be possible, as along similar goals are still met. In this case, that means we use the same theme and create original performances (on video) with your students. We will have a full outline of that on-line residency program by Dec. 1.
In the on-line format, the amount of time that you class spends with Trickster artists will increase as we have no touring costs ( hotels, meals, travel). It is likely that in larger schools that the timing would change and the residency would be stretched over a longer period of time with some classes working with the artists in different weeks. More info Dec. 1
Residency Program Funding
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) provides Residency Program funding assistance directly to Alberta Schools through their Artists and Education grant.
The annual deadline for this application is April 1 deadline and provides funding assistance for projects that will take place the following school year.
The AFA provides funding for 50-75% of the cost of your residency up to $15,000 per school per year.
Schools in the following locations are eligible for 50% funding: Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Stone Plain, Calgary, Airdrie, and Okotoks.
All other schools are eligible for 75% funding
The Process
Want to learn more? Call our office at 403.288.9393 or visit the AFA website at the link below
All AFA files are on their new application web page, including guidelines and support.
We provide each school with a link to a google drive folder that contains all of the AFA files. We also provide support to develop your theme and will review your application before it is submitted.
Generally speaking, our residencies cost between $10 to $40 per week per student (after AFA funding support). The cost per student typically goes down as school size goes up. (max. 600 students).
The cost for your school would depend on a number of factors:
1. The number of artists required. Usually we bring 1 artist per 3 classes.
2. The distance from Calgary.
3. The number of days, although almost all of our residencies are 5 days.
4. Does it require full tech support?
5. Are there added elements - ie: follow up days, video production?
Please call our office at 403-288-9393 or email us, and tell us what you would like to do, and we'll give you a quote on the project.
Additional Fundraising can be set up for your residency using a custom Canada Helps Giving Page. We can set this up for you.
Please call us at 403. 288.9393, or EMAIL US for details.
Residencies for the 2020-21 School Year are eligible for the AFA Artists and Education grant, which will cover up to 50% for urban schools, and up to 75% for rural to a maximum of $15,000. The annual deadline for this application is April 1. Call us at 403.288.9393 or fill out the Booking Form below and we will help you get started.
Please fill out the form - ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED.
We will contact you to confirm your interest.
Due to Covid19 we are having to move lots of schools to new dates. At the moment it looks like there are no weeks left.
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
