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Opera in the 21st Century: Creators Lab
Program Information

Overview
The Opera in the 21st Century: Creators Lab residency will provide teams of up to five members the exciting opportunity to work together on a new concept for the opera Proving Up (written by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek).
Participants will have access to talented mentors, singers, and production support to test proof of concept for their creations. Concepts will be adjudicated by a panel of senior opera practitioners, and awards will follow.
View the online score for Proving Up here.
What does the program offer?
The Creators Lab residency offers a full scholarship for tuition. The program provides a collegial, friendly environment set within Banff Centre’s mountain campus, where director/designer teams will have the opportunity to put together the concept for a new opera production and share it with their peers.
Teams will be given a concrete idea to start from and will then be given set limits in which to achieve their concepts. Final concepts will be presented to a panel of general directors and opera industry professionals for adjudication. Top concepts will receive an award.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from emerging stage director and designer teams (costume, LX, video, set) looking to create new operas. Independent opera companies seeking the opportunity to work alongside others in a collegial, creative exercise are also encouraged to apply.
Partners:
Faculty
What's Included
Your program fee includes a shared bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Single rooms may be available upon request for an additional fee. Please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay.
The Full Flex meal plan includes $41 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Vistas Dining Room.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work in one of our performance venues.
Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Access a wide range of publications, books, music, and films in the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, open six days a week.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Fees & Financial Assistance
*Financial Aid up to 100% of the program fee may be available.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials to SlideRoom.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre! View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Adjudication
Participants are selected by impartial adjudicators on the basis of their submitted material. In addition to artistic merit, consideration will be given to the likelihood that the artist's work will benefit from the program.
Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as adjudication is complete.
Note: All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact the Registrar
For questions on preparing your application, please contact the Office of the Registrar: