Producer's Lab

Unexpected Theatre and Sol One Arts proudly presents a paid week-long Producers Intensive this March—an immersive, practical workshop designed for emerging producers who have a project in process or ready to launch and are seeking the clarity, tools, and momentum to bring it to life.

This intensive is built for capable, ambitious early-career producers who haven’t always been given the space to prove what they can do. If you're actively developing a show, new work, or passion project and want structured guidance, professional insight, and a supportive creative environment, this program was designed for you.

About the Intensive

Participants will spend a full day with award-winning director, producer and dramaturg Iain Moggach and Unexpected Theatre Artistic Director Micah Jondel DeShazer, exploring practical producing skills, artistic leadership, project development, and the unique considerations of creating new Canadian and Ottawa-rooted works. Expect hands-on exercises, guided discussions, strategic planning, and personalized feedback to refine your producing practice and elevate your project. Approximate time-frame: Monday through Friday 11:00am–5:00pm (final schedule to be announced) Includes two short breaks and a walk-away lunch. Detailed schedule will be sent to those selected to participate in the program. Selected participants will receive a $500 bursary for their commitment.

About Iain Moggach (he/him)

Iain Moggach is an award-winning theatre educator, dramaturg, and mentor known for building rigorous yet accessible training environments for emerging and mid-career artists. Over the last decade, he has led some of Ontario’s most impactful artist-development programs, including the Indie Producer Co-op—a six-to-ten week intensive in producing, budgeting, grant writing, sponsorship, and marketing that he instructed from 2016–2024.

He has taught hundreds of artists through private producing and acting coaching, monologue and audition preparation, and professional consultation. As a multi-year instructor and adjudicator for the National Theatre School Festival in the Georgian Bay district, Iain has helped shape the next generation of theatre makers with developmental feedback and mentorship.

Iain founded and led several community-embedded initiatives, including the Barrie Theatre Lab, which supported the development of over 130 new plays; the Professional Workshop Series, bringing major Canadian playwrights to Simcoe County; and the Simcoe County Theatre Festival (2022–2024), which provided a vital platform for creators to share original one-act works.

Across all his teaching, Iain is recognized for his clarity, rigor, compassion, and deep commitment to empowering artists to step into greater confidence, craft, and professional readiness. He is thrilled to collaborate with Unexpected Theatre on this new producing intensive for artists from his home community of Ottawa.

Who Should Apply

We’re seeking emerging producers who:

• Have a project (or early-stage concept) currently in development or ready for launch

• Have produced at least one show or equivalent artistic initiative

• Are eager to sharpen their producing foundation with mentorship and structure

• Want an opportunity that supports capability over résumé prestige

• Are driven, detailed, and ready to grow

  
  

The program is optimized to supporting up to 5 artists who have a show or project in-process, or ready to be produced within the next year.

Not sure if this program is right for you? Join us for our "Virtually Producers" webinar session, being hosted Saturday, Jan 17th, 2026 at 10am to meet the facilitator and learn more.

READY TO DIVE IN? APPLY USING THE LINK BELOW:

https://forms.gle/8yAWQnSWcrm4Bswr6

Application Materials

Applicants will provide us with the following:

• A bio or link to your Artistic CV

• Answers to the following:

  • Where you are in your producing journey?

  • What skills are you looking to improve on or learn about during the intensive?

  • A brief description (or pitch) of the project or piece you are developing.

Key Dates

• Applications open: Jan 5th

• Virtually Producer (webinar/info session): January 17

• Applications close: January 26

• Review period: February 6–7

• Participant offers sent: February 9

• Public cohort announcement: February 21

PLEASE NOTE: Selected participants will receive light pre-intensive “homework” to prepare.