The BMO Radar: New Works in Progress
The BMO Radar is back! From August 25–30, we’re inviting you to an exciting week of readings, workshops, and more—and every event is FREE! Come on down to the Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre and join us for staged readings of four new plays, along with a variety of brand-new events geared towards meaningful conversations about play development and the writing process.
Play Readings
Each evening of the BMO Radar features a script reading by professional actors of a new work in progress, followed by a moderated discussion with the playwright(s) where the audience is invited to ask questions, share observations and discuss the play—we want to know what you think!
Wed, August 27, 7 PM
Florida Social by Bronwyn Carradine
RSVP
Thu, August 28, 7 PM
Murder on the Pacific Spirit Express by Frances Koncan
RSVP
Fri, August 29, 7 PM
Little Darlin’ by Amy Lee Lavoie and Omari Newton
RSVP
Sat, August 30, 7 PM
Beware the Glunkus: A Christmas Musical by Ben Elliott and Anton Lipovetsky
RSVP
Playwriting Masterclass with Anosh Irani
Mon, August 25–Tue, August 26, 2025
10 am–5 pm
Led by acclaimed playwright Anosh Irani, this is a two-day workshop for emerging and early career theatre artists and playwrights, focused on building writing toolkits and developing craft. Interested in joining us? Check out the submission guidelines here or here (docx) and apply today!
Application deadline: Thursday July 31, 2025
Playwright Residency (in partnership with Touchstone Theatre)
As part of the BMO Radar and in partnership with Touchstone Theatre, the Arts Club Theatre Company is welcoming playwright Justin Neal in a month-long creative residency. Justin will be given writing space, access to studios, and dramaturgical consultation on his new projects. Justin is a past participant of our Emerging Playwrights Unit and we are thrilled to have him back with us.
Playwrights Roundtable
Sat, August 30, 2025
2–4 pm
Post-reading discussions mostly focus on the script and its development—this panel is an opportunity to hear playwrights talk about their careers, artistic processes and writing practices, and share a bigger picture of what goes into writing plays. Featuring the playwrights from this year’s readings, as well as other local writers, this extended conversation is open to the public.
Playwrights Cafe
Mon, August 25–Sat, August 30, 2025
1–5 pm
Every afternoon from August 25–30, we’re converting the lobby of the BMO Theatre Centre into a café for playwrights. Part writing room, part coffee shop, part hang out, the Playwrights Café provides local playwrights with a place to gather, do some writing, and connect with each other. Come hang out with us, and make sure you stick around for the readings after!
Scratch Night
Tue, August 26, 2025
7–10 pm
Ever wanted to be part of a new play reading? At Scratch Nite, you’ll have the chance to do just that. Guests can sign up as a writer (bring your pages!) or a reader (bring your love of cold reading!)—think of it as ‘karaoke for playwrights.’ Writers can share up to 10 minutes of their work, and readers are assigned randomly based on registration. This is a fun, lighthearted mixer for playwrights, actors, and fans of new plays alike.
Dramaturgy Forum (in partnership with the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas)
Fri, August 29, 2025
2–4 pm
In association with the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (Canada chapter), the Arts Club is pleased to welcome dramaturgs — both local and national — to the BMO Radar. As part of this initiative, we’re hosting an in-depth conversation with several acclaimed Canadian dramaturgs about creating new plays with a variety of artists. This forum is open to the public—come drop by and be a part of the discourse around new play creation in Canada!
