"This whole experience has changed my life for the better. I hope future Young Ruffians have as much fun as I did."

Katasha JamesYoung Ruffian alumni 2012

"The entire experience of this summer was just great. Not only were we privy to the inner workings of a brand new company, we were also able to watch a show, a real proper show, go from words on a page to a sublime performance. I learned so much about working as a collective and using Shakespeare as inspiration."

Thea LewisYoung Ruffian alumni 2012

"The Young Ruffian program prioritizes accessible youth participation and creation. It provides youth in the city the opportunity to get involved in professional theatre and to work with emerging artists in an ongoing mentorship capacity."

Molly GardnerEducation Coordinator, Soulpepper Theatre Company

"This past summer I had the privilege of teaching a workshop for the Young Ruffians Program. The teens were fantastic and the evidence of their hard work was demonstrated in their final ensemble creation. In addition to my workshop, the Young Ruffian participants worked with some of the most highly respected teachers and performers in Canada. The Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program is the only one of its kind offered in Riverdale, and unique in the experiences and incredible opportunities it provides for young people."

Jake EpsteinActor (Boy Falls from the Sky) & workshop leader

"Thank you for this space. I never knew that this art existed within me"

2020 Participant

The Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program is committed to inclusive, professional, PAID training for youth aged 14-20 interested in theatre. This year, we are offering a 5-week twice-weekly theatre creation program in Withrow Park!

 

The Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program (YRAP) is at the core of our programming and values here at Ruff. We love the Young Ruffians! Past participants of YRAP have gone on to become professional artists, engaged community members, and all-around awesome humans. By running this program side by side with our flagship production we offer direct mentorship and on-the-ground theatre training.

Program Details

What:

 

Young Ruffian participants will meet twice per week for 5 weeks in Withrow Park. Each week, guest instructors from the Toronto theatre community as well as Shakespeare in the Ruff company members will guide the ensemble through new approaches, techniques, and exercises that can be used in collective creation. Participants will then experiment with these tools and use them as a jumping off point to create a piece of theatre as an ensemble.

Sessions will develop ensemble-driven skills such as:

  • Using objects, sounds, and images as prompts for creation.
  • Using physical theatre techniques to explore collective creation.
  • Working with ‘group mind’ to find and develop impulses particular to the ensemble.
  • Using sound/song to create soundscapes that allow for deeper investigations into the collective interests.
  • Exploring approaches to creating non-narrative text as a way of investigating and supporting the group interests.


The Young Ruffians will be tasked with responding to Shakespeare in the Ruff’s mainstage show Richard Three with the goal of creating an ensemble-based piece(s).

Throughout the program, the Young Ruffians will also participate in weekly mentorship sessions with members of the Richard Three company. Potential areas of mentorship include but are not limited to stage management, producing, education, directing, lighting and design, costuming, and dramaturgy.

The creation(s) coming out of the Young Ruffian program will be performed as a pre-show presentation before Richard Three on select performance dates.

More about Richard Three: Written/Directed by Patricia Allison and performed by an ensemble of three actors, Richard Three is a Disability focused reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Set in a multiverse in which two ideologically opposing Richards must work together to secure the crown.

Each Young Ruffian is paid an honorarium of $500 for their participation.

 

Who:


The Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program is for theatre artists aged 14 – 20 who are interested in developing existing skills and learning new and exciting tools geared toward devised theatre and collective creation.

We invite artists who self-identify as actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, and creators and who are keen on working with an ensemble to apply.

This year we will be looking for creators to apply to one of three streams:

a) Performance
b) Directing/Dramaturgy,
c) Production.

Everyone will work together for all sessions, this will just help us identify what kind of role you might be interested in working on!

 

When:

 

July 18th – August 26th
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10a.m. – 3p.m.*

Pre-show performances August 25th and 26th at 7pm

* YRAP schedule leading up to performances are subject to change in response to the shifting schedule for Richard Three 

 

Where: 

 

Withrow Park (nearest intersection: Danforth Ave. and Logan Ave., east end of Toronto)

 

How (to Apply):

 

  1. Please answer the following question in 500 words or less: What is currently of interest to you as an artist?*
    (*Your answer can be in one of the following formats: written document, video, voice note – for video or voice note, max 2 minutes)
  2. Please answer ONE of the following prompts in a creative way of your choosing (song, dance, poem etc.):
    1. Who is a ‘villain’ figure from literature or any source of media who you identify with and how.
    2. What makes a villain?
    3. What is something you have done or experienced that was meaningful to your life but for which you did not earn money and which did not benefit your career or academics. 
    4. What empowers you as a performer?


Please send your submission to: yrap@shakespeareintheruff.com by Monday, May 22nd 2023 at 11:59pm.** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, MAY 26TH AT 11:59PM

In the subject line please identify whether you are applying to the PERFORMER, DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG, or PRODUCTION stream.

Important: All successful applicants will be working together in a collaborative process – these streams will be used to identify areas of interest and clarify roles. Applicants who come in via the directing/dramaturgy or production streams will not be required to perform if they are not interested in that element.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with Education Coordinator Nicole Wilson and Ruff Collective Leadership member PJ Prudat.


Learn More:

 

Have questions or want support on your application?

We are hosting a drop-in session on Tuesday, May 16th from 7pm-8pm. We will be hosting this session on Zoom.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81571785077

Priority Groups:

 

This program is for everyone, but we are specifically prioritizing applications from folks who identify as Black, Indigenous, Disabled and LGBTQ2+. 

 

Accessibility:

 

If you have any access needs, please let us know in your application and we will work with you to make accommodations.

Read More about YRAP Coordinator Nicole Wilson CLICK HERE

Past Ruffians