We Support Caregivers
in the Performing Arts
The aim of Balancing Act is to create increased equality, accessibility, and inclusion for parents and caregivers※ working in the performing arts. We collaborate with artists, arts workers, and arts organizations to develop pathways for change at an individual, organizational and systemic level.
Balancing Act is an initiative of Theatre Direct.
※ Balancing Act defines a ‘caregiver’ as individuals who care for children, aging adults, those in need of personal or primary care, and anyone who self-identifies as a caregiver. We acknowledge that care work can include blood, adopted, or chosen family, colleagues, and caring for others out of duty.
Latest News
- Call for Applicants: Hack Lab: Research + Residency!
Open to artist-caregivers developing new performance projects. Facilitated by Shira Leuchter, the program spans 4 months, with online sessions curated to support each artist’s interests,…Continue Reading - CONFERENCE OF CARE WRAP-UP!
Balancing Act’s day-long Conference of Care was restorative and generative with inspiring conversations, fulfilling workshops, and a performance by Animacy Theatre Collective. The day was hosted by the wonderful Djennie…Continue Reading - Welcoming 26 New Level UP! Strategy Partners!
We are so pleased to introduce our ’22/’23 Strategy Partners for the upcoming season! Representing theatre, dance, and circus, these organizations and collectives will be piloting workplace…Continue Reading
Keep up with the latest from Balancing Act.
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Applications are still open!
Theatre Direct’s popular inquiry-based program for artist exploration: Hack Lab, opens a cohort specifically for artist caregivers!
A unique opportunity for those engaged in care work to reconnect with their practice and other artists within a time-flexible container.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
Online Sessions (Bi-Weekly)
📅: Tuesdays (February 21, March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18, May 2)
⏱️: 1 hour
In-Person Residency
📅: May 15 - May 28
📍: Theatre Direct's Studio H
Hack Lab is an entirely process-driven creative space that disrupts what we know about performance by investigating non-traditional forms, sparking discussions and engaging with works of art.
Hack Lab is a multigenerational group that is open to all artists, at any stage of their practice.
Visit the 🔗 below to learn more and to register!
www.balancingactcanada.com/programs/hack-lab/
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#theatre #performingarts #performance #balancingact #care #artist #torontoart #torontoartist #reconnection #collaboration #process #creative
📢Call for Applicants📢
Hack Lab: Research + Residency is open to artist-caregivers developing new performance projects.
Facilitated by Shira Leuchter, Hack Lab returns with a 4 month-program, including online sessions curated to support each artist's interests, as well as studio residency time for artists to test out new ideas alongside a community of collaborators.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
Online Sessions (Bi-Weekly)
📅: Tuesdays (February 21, March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18, May 2)
⏱️: 1 hour
In-Person Residency
📅: May 15 - May 28
📍: Theatre Direct's Studio H
📸: Shira in her work All the Things I’ve Lost, photo by Rachel Weiner
Visit the 🔗 below to learn more and register!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6xqvxQ_-QsPdXkqeotEv0yIQNQjfA3CCO-J1z2gwlp76PMg/viewform
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#theatre #performingarts #hacklab #research #residency #artist #caregiver #art #care #performance #support #community #collaboration #torontoart #torontoartist #torontotheatre
🤝Affinity Group🤝
Join us for our All Caregivers/Parents Affinity Group: Recovery and Re-emergence.
📅: Monday January 23
🕐: 1pm - 2:30pm EST
📍: Online (Zoom)
Balancing Act eases into the new year with an affinity group focused on recovery from burnout and re-awakening the creative voice.
Guest Artist Dr. Blessyl Buan will open the discussion with her personal story about re-emerging as an artist in midlife; reckoning with identity and wellness while caregiving as a creative. Blessyl is a dance artist, community healer, and mother of 4.
Active listener: Victoria Mata.
Visit the 🔗 below to register!
www.eventbrite.ca/e/balancing-act-affinity-group-guest-artist-blessyl-buan-tickets-492199611287
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#theatre #affinity #caregiving #care #caregiver #parent #support #peer #group #recovery #reemergence #burnout #creative