New Pathways

Red theater seats with one partially visible numbered 23, facing a stage in a dimly lit theater with red walls and ceiling, and overhead lighting.

Carving a Path for Indigenous Artists

Native Earth is a recommender for ‘New Pathways’ – a pilot project designed to provide an alternate path of acceptance for Indigenous candidates to the National Theatre School’s Production Design and Technical Arts Program!

We acknowledge there are many barriers to access that exist. We aim to create connections with the Indigenous Arts Community to increase accessibility and effectively support Indigenous candidates to end the preexisting system of exclusion.

Status: Closed

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“In my mind this initiative is not just about support and accessibility, it’s also about taking an active role in pedagogical reform. It is clear that the industry is longing for increased Indigenous representation in all parts of theatre creation, not just actors. We need more Indigenous designers. We need more Indigenous Stage Managers. We need more Indigneous Technical Directors! If this tailor made program was around 20 years ago, I might have become a designer instead!”

Jimmy Blais

Montreal-based director, playwright, actor and former Indigenous Artist in Residence at the National Theatre School in 2019

“The New Pathways initiative is a redesigned application process for Indigenous candidates to the Production Design and Technical Arts Program at the National Theatre School of Canada. Indeed, this New Pathway is fundamental in our commitment to supporting future Indigenous lighting, sound and video designers, Production Managers, Stage Managers and Technical Directors.”

Andrea Lundy

Director – Production Design and Technical Arts, National Theatre School

  • A love of theatre

    1. An interest in exploring further their place within the technical side of theatre

    2. An ability to come to Montreal to attend the school

    3. Ideally a commitment to three years of training in order to fully complete the program 

    4. An expressed interest in at least one of the areas of training in the program – Production Management, Technical Direction, Stage Management, Lighting Design and Technology, Sound Design and technology, Video design and technology

    5. Must identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

    1. Be provided with financial assistance as required. NTS will conduct a needs-based assessment for the successful applicant. All costs of attending the program which are outside of the applicant’s means will be covered by NTS.

    2. Be connected with an Indigenous Production Mentor for all three years of the program.

    3. Be provided ongoing mental health support for the student with access to the growing
      avenues of support offered to students at NTS

    4. Attend monthly check-ins with Native Earth and biannual meetings with the Program lead, support team, and Native Earth

    5. Work with NTS to secure a paid internship opportunity after graduation – according to the interest and availability of the student.

For more information on the Production Design and Technical Arts Program, click here.
For more on New Pathways, click here.