Theatre is a disruption of the imagination—a way of expanding our sense of what might be possible. It belongs to artists who move across borders, disciplines, and forms rather than fitting neatly into a single category.

How do we create together when we don’t share the same language? How do we uncover something universal within the deeply specific? And how might theatre create connections between audiences in an age that feels increasingly divided?

Rania Alharthi is committed to creating supportive, trusting environments where creativity can thrive. She sees this mentorship as an important step in her journey to become an authentic, compassionate director who inspires collective growth and artistic honesty. Rania is currently re-writing her debut long play, CHECKPOINT, in which she starred as part of RISER Regina 2026. 

Kris Alvarez is a Treaty 4 Filipina artist who makes art like an 80’s mom makes a trip to the beach: in a two-toned station wagon, blaring a favourite mixtape, picking up old & new friends.

Kris is lucky to work in Saskatchewan as a creator (Banana Musik, Burnt Sienna Blvd, Golden Potluck), an Artistic Associate (Curtain Razors), dramaturg-playwright (Sum Theatre 2024), collaborator (Homebuddies, Prague Quadrennial 2023), and performer (Bad Blood -Joey Tremblay / Reasonable Doubt, Bright Half Life -Persephone / Peter Pan, Steel Magnolias, Mosque Heist -Globe Theatre / Voice of the Valley -Caravan Farm Theatre) 

Kris is lucky to make relationships while making art (Fadadance, Artesian, sīkwan, Sum Theatre, Common Weal, Dunlop, So.Glad Arts, Kyuubi Culture, YWCA, Mann Art Gallery)

Tim is a Saskatoon-based theatre professional who serves as the Artistic Associate for Burnt Thicket Theatre. Working as an actor, sound designer, producer, dramaturge, playwright, and director. Tim is dedicated to helping nurture a healthy theatre community here in Saskatchewan while sharing stories that make people laugh, cry, and experience the deepest parts of what it means to be human. 

You may have seen Tim on stage in productions such as BLITHE SPIRIT, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, BOEING BOEING, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and ‘ART’ (Persephone); THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING (25th Street Theatre); THE CURST, and THE FOURTH WISEMAN (Dancing Sky Theatre); LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (Theatre Naught); CYMBELINE (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); EVERGREEN (Burnt Thicket). 

Tim’s sound design credits include WHAT IF (25th Street Theatre), THIS IS HOW WE GOT HERE (Persephone), RICHARD II, CYMBELINE, ROMEO & JULIET, AS YOU LIKE IT (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan), EVERY BRILLIANT THING, EVERGREEN and the acclaimed audio drama series WE TREATY PEOPLE (Burnt Thicket Theatre). Tim’s directing credits include MUSTARD (25th Street Theatre) and THE UNPLUGGING (Burnt Thicket). Tim also continues to tour the one-person show he wrote, MY LITTLE PLASTIC JESUS, which has been seen by audiences in living rooms across Canada from Victoria, BC to Kingston, ON. Tim lives in Saskatoon with his lovely wife, Amy, and their two very active kids.

Jessica Gares (@jessthecreativemess) is an actor, director, dancer, filmmaker, and collagist from Treaty 4 Territory (Regina). She graduated from Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film and Television Program in 2012, before travelling and living across Canada and to Europe, acting in various film and theatre projects along the way. She was assistant directing an original immersive play with the Orange Theatre Company in Amsterdam when the pandemic broke out, and she made the decision to return home to Saskatchewan. Since being back, she has produced theatre and film projects that focus on social relevance and aim to create necessary conversations in our community.

Laura Negraeff (she/her) is a theatre artist, educator, and owner/operator of the independent company, Lolabrickida Theatre. She has directed, performed, & produced with numerous companies in Saskatoon & is thrilled to be part of SATP’s Directing Mentorship Cohort. Memorable directing credits include: In the Next Room or the vibrator play (Lolabrickida Theatre), The Addams Family Musical (Saskatoon Summer Players), and Nunsense (McClure Players), in addition to assistant directing Miracle on 34th Street (Persephone Theatre) and co-directing wâhkôhtowin and Le Chandail/The Hockey Sweater (Sum Theatre). 

ELIZABETH NEPJUK is an award-winning actor and producer born and raised in Saskatoon, a graduate of Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film & TV Program, and holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Saskatchewan. Liz has had a number of career highlights on the stages of professional and independent theatres across Western Canada. Most recently, Elizabeth was thrilled to have been a part of the Love & Tyranny season at Shakespeare on the SK as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Marc Antony in Julius Caesar. Elizabeth can currently be seen on APTN as part of the news team in Season 2 of Saskatoon’s own The Feather News. Up next, Burnt Thicket Theatre’s world premiere of 7x12 in Spring 2027.

This cohort is designed for Saskatchewan-based emerging and early-career theatre directors who are looking to deepen their process, strengthen their collaborative practice, and gain practical tools for moving from initial inspiration to rehearsal room leadership.

The Directing Cohort is intended for emerging directors at any point in their career with some experience directing. This may look like directing independent shows, assistant directing multiple shows, or directing fewer than two shows professionally.

The Directing Cohort is NOT intended for emerging artists with little or no directing experience, or who have directed more than two professional productions.

If you have a question about your eligibility, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Email judiths@sasktheatreprofessionals.ca to start a conversation.

SATP encourages and welcomes applications from individuals who identify as part of an historically marginalized community, including but not limited to neurodivergent, D/deaf or disabled, LGBTQIA2S+, Indigenous, Black, or Persons of Colour.

SATP encourages and welcomes applications from individuals who identify as part of an historically marginalized community, including but not limited to neurodivergent, D/deaf or disabled, LGBTQIA2S+, Indigenous, Black, or Persons of Colour.

Application Process:

• Deadline to apply: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm

• Step One:

  • Fill out this form

• Step Two:

  • Email your current artistic resume to judiths@sasktheatreprofessionals.ca

• Step Three:

  • Ensure you are a current member of SATP. If you are not sure, email lizw@sasktheatreprofessionals.ca to find out. If you are not already a member, complete the process here.

• PLEASE NOTE: If any step is missing, your application will be considered incomplete.

Selection Process:

• Eligible applications will be brought before SATP’s Selection Committee for consideration. The recommendations are then approved by SATP and the Directing Mentor.

• Successful applicants will be notified by September 8, 2026

• We will contact all applicants, regardless of the success of their application.

Program length: 6 months - September 2026-February 2027

Participants are expected to be fully available for the 2.5 day session in Phase One (Late Sept.-Early Oct, Dates & Location TBC), and for the Scene Study February 7-13, 2027 in Phase Three (Location TBC).

SATP & the Directing Mentor will do their best to schedule both the in-person gatherings in Phases One & Three as well as the video sessions in November-January on the availability of the participants, but some flexibility will be required.

These dates will be scheduled by the middle of September 2026.

Participants will leave the Directing Cohort with the following:

• A strong understanding of the whole directing process from start to finish.

• Experience with self-directed work preparing for rehearsals, and doing script analysis and research.

• Experience directing actors in a simulated rehearsal room.

• Experience communicating and collaborating with designers in simulated design meetings.

• An understanding of how to reflect and critique a director’s work after seeing a performance.

SATP & the Directing Mentor will decide on the location of the in-person portions of the program once applicants have been selected.

The in-person portions will take place in either Regina or Saskatoon.

Travel costs will be subsidized by SATP.