Behind every unforgettable performance at the Varscona Theatre is a team of designers and technicians who help us bring stories to life. From the glow of the stage lights to the rhythm of a perfectly timed cue, their work shapes the magic audiences experience every night.

This Giving Tuesday, the Varscona Theatre invites you to Cue the Future by supporting our  campaign to mentor the next generation of theatre makers working behind the scenes.

Our goal is to raise $20,000 to seed a new Varscona Theatre Mentorship Program, providing two paid positions for emerging designers or technicians in 2026. Each mentee will be paired with an experienced professional mentor, gaining real-world training in lighting, sound, or stage management. The program will also provide honoraria for mentors, ensuring that both learning and teaching are valued and supported.

Your support today helps create:

• Two paid mentorships for emerging theatre technicians or designers.
  
  
• Equitable access to training and professional development opportunities.
  
  
• A sustainable mentorship model that strengthens Edmonton’s live theatre ecosystem.

By investing in mentorship, you’re not just helping individuals — you’re helping build a stronger theatre community for the future.

The magic of live theatre doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built by the designers, technicians, and stage professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their artistry shapes every moment the audience experiences. Yet too often, these essential contributors are overlooked or under-supported. This program ensures that emerging designers and technicians have the same access to mentorship, training, and opportunity as those in the spotlight — because the work that happens behind the curtain is just as important as what happens onstage.

Too often, emerging theatre artists can’t afford to take unpaid internships or volunteer behind the scenes — even though that’s where the most valuable experience happens. Our Mentorship Program changes that. By covering the costs for both mentees and mentors, we’re ensuring that financial barriers don’t limit access to professional growth.

Your Impact:

When you give to the Varscona Theatre Mentorship Program, you’re helping shape the future of Edmonton’s theatre community. Your support creates paid opportunities for emerging designers and technicians to learn from experienced mentors, gaining real-world skills and confidence in a professional theatre setting. And it helps the Varscona continue its long tradition of nurturing local talent and enriching Edmonton’s cultural landscape. Together, we’ll build a stronger network of artists and technicians who will light our stages for years to come.

About the Varscona Theatre:

The Varscona Theatre is a non-profit performing arts venue in the heart of Edmonton’s Old Strathcona district. Home to resident companies Shadow Theatre, Teatro Live!, and Die-Nasty, we host more than 260 performances a year and welcome nearly 30,000 audience members through our doors.

Our mission is to nurture local talent, foster community, and make professional theatre accessible to all.

Join Us This Giving Tuesday:

Be part of the story that starts behind the curtain. Donate today and help us launch a program that keeps Edmonton’s creative future shining bright.

Give now and help us Cue the Future!