TUTS BIPOC Creative Fellowship
/Job Title:
TUTS BIPOC Creative Fellowship
Organization:
Theatre Under the Stars
Deadline:
Dec. 4, 2026
Organization Description:
Theatre Under the Stars Musical Society (TUTS) is not for profit society with a mandate to entertain families through popular musical theatre shows, while providing a vibrant outlet and training ground to develop amateur performers and technicians both young and old. TUTS achieves this through a unique collaboration between professionals and volunteers working together in administration, performance, production, and venue operations. TUTS values an atmosphere of inclusion and mentorship in order to build strong character and to promote positive values. Presented at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, Vancouverites have long considered TUTS a summer cultural tradition with average attendance of approximately 40,000 patrons per year.
The 2027 Summer Season at Theatre Under the Stars brings back the tradition of open-air musical theatre with the productions of Mean Girls and West Side Story, running in repertory from June 26th to August 14th.
Website:
Job Description:
Now in its sixth year, Theatre Under the Stars’ BIPOC Creative Fellowship program is looking to engage up to two theatre professionals, each of whom will work alongside a designated member of our 2027 Creative Teams. This program is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) artists pursuing a career in theatre as a Director, Choreographer, and/or Music Director. The successful applicant(s) will work closely with their designated ‘mentor’ and gain experience in a creative leadership role on one of TUTS’ big summer musicals. Note that this is not an “assistant” position. Rather, it is an opportunity for BIPOC emerging artistic leaders with some professional experience to expand their skills in relation to musical theatre and leading a large company.
Our 2027 shows and Creative Teams are as follows (click show titles to read bios):
Mean Girls
Director: Chelsea Haberlin
Choreographer: Amanda Testini
Musical Director: Eliza de Castro
https://www.tuts.ca/mean-girls-creative-team/
West Side Story
Director: Michael Scholar Jr.
Original Choreography Reproduced by: Jennifer Lynch
Musical Director: Sean Bayntun
https://www.tuts.ca/west-side-story-creative-team/
Inclusivity Statement
When hiring Creative Teams, Theatre Under the Stars has encouraged submissions from artists of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. However, ongoing hiring processes demonstrate that our applicant pools do not yet reflect the diversity of the Canadian, BC, and Vancouver performing arts communities - notably of those who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or people of colour). In 2022, as part of a larger effort to advocate for inclusion and representation in all parts of the creative process, TUTS established the BIPOC Creative Fellowship to cultivate the next generation of professional musical theatre creatives, and foster opportunities for individuals who are BIPOC in positions of leadership - Directors, Choreographers, and Music Directors.
Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, this job competition will be limited to members of the following provincially designated groups: visible minorities (individuals who are racialized/non-white) and Indigenous peoples. Candidates from these groups are asked to self-identify in their letter of interest as belonging to one or more of the designated equity-deserving groups to be considered for the BIPOC Creative Team Fellowship.
Responsibilities:
Creative Fellows will support their mentor - their choice of Director, Choreographer, and/or Music Director - in mounting one of TUTS' summer musical productions.
Qualifications:
This program is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) artists pursuing a career in theatre as a Director, Choreographer, and/or Music Director, with some professional experience.
How to Apply:
The selected individuals (up to 2 positions for the 2027 season) will bring their experience to the Creative Teams and musical theatre productions in Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park. Interested artists are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest via an online form (https://www.tuts.ca/bipoc-creative-fellowship-application/) by Dec. 4, 2026. Our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Committee will review the applications with the Creative Teams and contact eligible candidates for interviews.
Submission Link or Email Address
https://www.tuts.ca/bipoc-creative-fellowship-application/
Remuneration:
Members of Equity, ACTRA, UBCP or UDA will be engaged under Equity contract. Non-affiliated artists will be compensated by a $4,700.00 stipend.
