THE BMO RADAR: NEW WORKS IN PROGRESS
From August 24–29 The 2026 BMO Radar will once again be bringing together playwrights, new play makers, aspiring writers, and artists committed to new play development for a week of discussion, exploration, and the advancement of new works. Join us at the BMO Theatre Centre for staged readings, panels, and our popular Scratch Night—come be part of these meaningful conversations about 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!
All readings take place at the Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre.
Wed, August 26, 7 PM
Dean Regan’s A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, with an updated script by Erin Shields
Since its premiere at the Arts Club over 30 years ago, this beloved tribute to an unforgettable woman with an equally unforgettable voice has delighted audiences around the world. The Arts Club has commissioned prolific Canadian playwright Erin Shields to update the play for a new generation.
Thu, August 27, 7 PM
The Mildly Alarming Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(s) by Ryan Biel and Mark Chavez
Dr. Jekyll has been acting strange lately, hasn’t he? He’s not around much—where has he been? Who’s that odd lodger that he’s taken in? And what’s with all the green goo? Local comedians Ryan Beil and Mark Chavez are creating a wacky take on this classic story—think of it as a panto for Halloween!
Fri, August 28, 7 PM
The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special by Tracey Power
On December 3, 1968, Elvis rocked the world—again! After a seven-year absence from the music business, the former king of rock ‘n’ roll launched a comeback on the biggest stage of his career, with the hope of saving his musical soul. This script invites audiences inside a legendary performance and offers unique insight into the night that Elvis rediscovered himself.
Sat, August 29, 7 PM
Enemies by Colleen Murphy
In a Canadian City in the year 2030, the local Exotic Animal Zoo—and especially Ginger the Sumatran Orangutan—is the community’s greatest tourist attraction. But when the animals start exhibiting signs of bird flu, the Chief Veterinarian of the Zoo must choose between scientific truth or the economic good of the town. Colleen Murphy adapts Ibsen’s classic, An Enemy of the People, in the context of climate emergency and its vehement deniers.
Plus! Playwrights Canada Press will be at the Olympic Village Stage each night with an exciting collection of Canadian plays for sale. Silver Commission scripts like Forgiveness, The Patron Saint of Stanley Park, and the fresh-off-the-presses Someone Like You are just some of the plays that will be available for purchase.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – MASTERCLASS WITH MARCUS YOUSSEF
The Arts Club is thrilled to invite submissions for a special 2-day playwriting workshop, hosted by Marcus Youssef, as part of The BMO Radar: New Works in Progress. Open to playwrights in the Greater Vancouver area, this workshop is designed to help you both identify and nurture your own voice while developing a concrete sense of the playwright's craft. The class will offer participants a combination of lecture/provocations, conversations and exercises. Playwrights should be prepared to bring a short writing sample to share with the class.
For instructions on how to apply, please read the call for submissions | Word Document
August 24 & 25, 10 AM–3 PM
BMO Theatre Centre
162 1st Ave W
Eligibility: Applicants must be artists who are in the early stages of their careers (or who self-identify as an emerging artist) and who have chosen playwriting as a focus. Playwrights must also live in the Greater Vancouver area.
Deadline: August 10, 2026
SCRATCH NIGHT
Tue, August 25, 7 PM
Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
Scratch Night is a community gathering, a party, and best of all, karaoke for playwrights. It’s a chance for writers to share new work with no strings attached. Guests have the option to sign up as a writer or a reader upon arrival. Writers can share up to 10 minutes of work and roles will be randomly assigned based on registered participants. It’s a fun mixer for playwrights, actors, and fans of new writing (and cheap beer!)
COFFEE WITH CREATORS
A new and relaxed spin on the panel discussion. Join us for an afternoon cuppa joe as we talk with some of the most exciting and prolific theatre makers in town—coffee will be provided!
Fri, Aug 28, 2 PM
Devised: Creating New Work Outside of a Playwright-Centric Model
Studio B at the BMO Theatre Centre
Sat, Aug 29, 2 PM
What Does Your Day Look Like: Playwrights Talking About Process
Studio B at the BMO Theatre Centre
FRANKENSTEIN – A WORK-IN-PROCESS
Tue, Aug 25, 2 PM
Location TBA
2025-26 Miriam Bennett Artist-in-Residence Christine Quintana has been working with her colleagues on an intimate and innovative theatrical remix of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic. Drawing from work from Canadian theatre pioneers, this Frankenstein puts a new lens on an old favourite. This show-and-share of a cool new work-in-progress is open to everyone.
SCRATCH NIGHT
Tue, August 25, 7 PM
Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre
Scratch Night is a community gathering, a party, and best of all, karaoke for playwrights. It’s a chance for writers to share new work with no strings attached. Guests have the option to sign up as a writer or a reader upon arrival. Writers can share up to 10 minutes of work and roles will be randomly assigned based on registered participants. It’s a fun mixer for playwrights, actors, and fans of new writing (and cheap beer!)
The BMO Theatre Centre is located at 162 West 1st Ave, in the heart of Olympic Village. It’s best known for the Arts Club’s Olympic Village Stage, but it’s also home to our rehearsal halls, office space, and so much more. The BMO Radar takes place all over the building—check below for directions to each of our locations:
The Olympic Village Stage—Enter through the glass doors facing 1st Ave. The doors to the theatre are directly past the entrance.
Atrium—Enter through the glass doors facing 1st Ave. and turn left. The atrium is an open space that serves as the lobby for the Olympic Village Stage.
Studio B—Walk past the theatre entrance on West 1st Ave. until you reach the glass door marked with BMO Radar signage. This door is locked, but a member of staff will be available on the day of the event to let you in.
