Truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Lunchbox. One of the best theatre companies ever, period.

– ISABELLA PEDERSEN

We are currently not hiring for any positions, and auditions are now complete for the 2025-26 Season. Please check back at a later date.

The Winter Stage One-derland Playwrights’ Unit

The Winter Stage One-derland Playwrights’ Unit is Lunchbox’s Theatre latest New Play Development Initiative. Historically, plays centered around the winter holidays have been the best sellers in Lunchbox Theatre’s season. We are eager to create a program that continues to center our commitment to new play development, while also helping to develop a wealth of plays that fill this key slot in our programming.

The Winter Stage One-derland Playwrights’ Unit is an opportunity for local playwrights who are developing a one-act play centered around the winter holiday season to connect and support each other through the writing process. From March 2026 to November 2026, we will meet regularly to share our work and build community throughout our creative processes.

Members of The Winter Stage One-derland Unit will have access to experienced dramaturges, and will be given unique opportunities to consult with Bronwyn Steinberg, the Artistic Director of Lunchbox Theatre, about the development of their pieces. We are eager to support artists in whatever they need in their development process, whether that be structured feedback sessions, or simply hearing their words read aloud.

This opportunity does not currently include a full workshop element, however it will allow participants to thoughtfully develop scripts, with feedback from Lunchbox Theatre’s Artistic Director, just in time for 2027 Stage One Submissions.

There is currently no financial compensation for this unit, however we are actively seeking funding.

Depending on funding opportunities, we would love to culminate this unit in a free public showcase of excerpts from each of the unit member’s plays that were developed throughout the year. If we receive funding, this would take place in late November 2026 to kick off the winter holiday season.

APPLICATION DETAILS

There are 4 slots available in the unit.

Members of the Unit will receive:

Access to professional dramaturges and mentors.
Opportunities to connect with other playwrights working on similar projects.
Exclusive Feedback from Bronwyn Steinberg, Artistic Director of Lunchbox Theatre
Complimentary tickets to all shows in Lunchbox’s Season

Playwrights must reside in Calgary or the surrounding area.

Playwrights must be available for monthly in person meetings between March - November 2026. The date and time of meetings will be set based on mutual availability.

Deadline for Submission: Feb. 28th, 2026

Please have a project proposal in mind. Please keep in mind the parameters for Lunchbox Shows are as follows:

One-act plays must be 45-60 minutes in length.
Small cast (4 or fewer performers, including musicians for musicals).
Note that certain complex technical requirements and excessive use of foul language or nudity may limit a project’s viability at Lunchbox.

Please email artassociate@lunchboxtheatre.com and include the following information

Your Resume
A One Page description of the project you hope to work on
A brief note about why you are interested in the unit
You are welcome to include a writing sample no longer than 10 pages, but it is not required.

Representation matters—to our artists as well as our audiences and the larger community. We are inclusive in the stories that we tell and the people we represent on our stage, so that we can continually engage with new artists, audiences and communities, who are eager to see themselves reflected onstage. Lunchbox Theatre is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities.

Script submissions

Thank you for your interest in our work at Lunchbox Theatre! Each season at Lunchbox, we produce a season of four or five one-act plays. Please first take a look at our vision, mission and values here https://www.lunchboxtheatre.com/our-story (note the emphasis on meaningful and uplifting entertainment), and familiarize yourself with our latest programming before submitting any scripts for our consideration.

Eligibility

One-act plays must be 45-60 minutes in length.
Small cast (4 or fewer performers, including musicians for musicals).
We prioritize stories by playwrights living in Canada, but we occasionally produce non-Canadians if the material feels relevant to Calgarian audiences.
Note that certain complex technical requirements and excessive use of foul language or nudity may limit a project’s viability at Lunchbox.

Many of our productions are developed through our Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work. If you have a script in development that you would like to propose for Stage One, please look out for our call for submissions in the fall.

Submission Guidelines

If after familiarizing yourself with our work, you feel your script is a perfect fit and ready for production at Lunchbox now, then please email Artistic Director Bronwyn Steinberg at ad@lunchboxtheatre.com with the subject as "SCRIPT SUBMISSION - play title", and include the following in your message:

A short synopsis
Cast breakdown
Development or production history
Why you think this piece is a great fit for Lunchbox
Please note if you live in Calgary or have a connection that enables you to work here as a local

After we receive your submission, we will send you an email letting you know that we got it. If your proposal sounds like what we're looking for, then you'll be invited to send along the script and your CV.

Please understand that we are a tiny staff with very limited reading time, so...

We do not know how soon we will be able to read your script after submission.
Playwrights will only be contacted again if we are interested in moving forward with your script.
We do not provide dramaturgical feedback unless the script is accepted for further development or production.
We thank you for your understanding and patience!

Lunchbox Theatre is committed to being a caregiver conscious working environment. We are proud to be a Balancing Act Partner.

We are eager to engage in open conversations surrounding caregiver needs; we strive to create a flexible working environment whenever possible, to acknowledge the costs and other considerations required by caregivers working in theatre, and to always remember the vital importance of asking artists what we at Lunchbox can do to support them in doing their best work.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Lunchbox Theatre is happy to share their Code of Conduct & Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Policy to the public. Please click the following link to read them: LBT Code of Conduct & Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Policy

In connection to Lunchbox Theatre’s Code of Conduct LBT every effort is made to ensure that any complaint or concern is addressed appropriately and in a timely manner. As such contracted artists and staff can file a concern though our Communication form: Communications Form