Performance History

The Rise Up Sessions are a collaborative series of performances showcasing local Emerging Creators and a line up of diverse voices & artistic expression. Celebrating some of the new directions that performing arts are taking in our cities, this second season of youth engagement events amplifies the work of Emerging local Creators in diverse fields.

Six IBPOC playwrights were commissioned to develop original long-form cluster monologues for IBPOC actors through a multi-week creative workshop process. The program concluded with an invited staged reading held on July 27 and 28, 2023, under the direction of Argel Monte de Ramos.

Following the initial workshop and reading process, the project entered a hiatus period to focus on the development and preparation of a forthcoming publication through Playwrights Canada Press beginning in 2025. Featuring more than 20 original monologues written for IBPOC artists, the collection will introduce 22 new and emerging playwrights as published authors. The official book launch will take place at the BMO Theatre Centre on June 8, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A multi-week workshop for 6 IBPOC playwrights commissioned to write a cluster monologue (long-form monologue) for IBPOC actors. The workshop culminated on August 9 and 10, 2022 with an invited reading directed by Argel Monte de Ramos.

A multi-week development workshop featuring four IBPOC playwrights commissioned to create original long-form cluster monologues for IBPOC actors. Prior to the invited readings, the monologues were workshopped in collaboration with actors through a series of developmental sessions. The program culminated in invited readings on July 22 and 23, 2024, directed by Argel Monte de Ramos.