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Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA)

Programs + Initiatives

Gatherings

GVPTA presents and partners on a number of industry gatherings each year to provide a way for theatre community members to network and share knowledge. 

Industry Hangouts

Come and have a snack or a drink and socialize with people who are in the same boat as you! If you're new to the industry, events will have hosts present to help make introductions and connections. And the GVPTA buys appetizers! 

Questions? Contact Mishelle Cuttler, Programs Manager, at mishelle@gvpta.ca

Upcoming Hangouts

Industry Hangout: Black Theatre Artists

Black Theatre Artists Hangout

Monday, October 27, 2025
Details TBA
Free to attend. 
Hosted by Adonis Critter King.

Join us on Monday, October 27th for an informal evening to connect, chat, share snacks, and build community. Whether you’re a playwright, designer, director, producer, actor—or simply part of the vibrant theatre world—you’re warmly invited.

Stay tuned for more details, but for now, mark your calendars!

Adonis Critter King headshot
About the Host

Adonis Critter King is a Black, Queer, Trans and non-binary, multi-disciplinary writer, director, producer, dramaturg, and Obeah in training. Their work interweaves the mundane and the divine, the monstrous and the holy, the laughter and the grief, to explore collective liberation, revolution as a way of life, and the strength it takes to stand sturdy in the difficult choices it takes to liberate ourselves and our futures.


Adonis was the 2016 Youth Poet Laureate of Victoria, received the 2017 VACCS Community Recognition Award, and the 2020 Witness Legacy Award for Social Purpose and Responsibility Through Art. Their work has been published by Playwrights Canada Press & and produced by CBC Gem.

Past Events

May 28 2025 | Playwrights Hangout
Industry Hangout: Black Theatre Artists

Playwrights Hangout

Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 5:00–7:00pm PST
Luppolo Brewing Co 
1123 Venables St, Vancouver
Free to attend. 
Hosted by Davey Samuel Calderon

The next hangout is for playwrights in partnership with PTC! 

Join Playwright Theatre Centre's Artistic Producer and Dramaturg Davey Calderon at Luppolo Brewing Co (1123 Venables St, Vancouver, BC) on Wednesday, May 28th from 5 to 7pm. Come by to talk about your plays, ask Davey about PTC, and come together as an amazing community!

Adam Grant Warren, a white man in his early forties with a shaved head, is in a locker room, laying on his low profile manual wheelchair so that his feet are sticking up in the air and his upper body is in a plank position. Photo by Luciana Photography.
About the Host

Davey Samuel Calderon, Vancouver, BC (he/they/siya) - is a director, performer, writer, producer, drag artist, dramaturg, and settler on the traditional, ancesteral and stolen lands of the  xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, so-called Vancouver, BC. Currently, he is the Playwrights Theatre Centre’s Artistic Producer and Dramaturg. Select dramaturgical credits are: God's A Drag by Jessica Lemes Da Silva (2023-24 Fringe New Play Prize Winner; 2024 Vancouver Fringe Festival). The Frontliners by Zahida Rahemtulla (2021-22 New Play Prize Winner; 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival special workshop presentation), Before They Cut Down Our Treeby Karter Masuhara (2023 Vancouver Fringe Festival; 2020 & 2021 vAct’s MSG Lab), and It Lives in my Bedroom by Mily Mumford (2021-23 PTC Associate). Davey has worked with nationally recognized companies and individuals – including Neworld Theatre, Alley Theatre, Paul Wong, rice and beans theatre, and Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Association.

Learn about PTC at www.playwrightstheatre.com

Apr 7 2025 | D/disability Theatre Artist Hangout
Industry Hangout: Black Theatre Artists

“Dis-Respect,” “Dis-Aloud” and other Punny Titles: ​A D/disability Theatre Artist Hangout

Monday, April 7, 2025, 5:30–7:30pm PDT
BMO Theatre Centre (lobby)
162 West 1st Ave, Vancouver
Free to attend. 
Hosted by Adam Grant Warren & the
Realwheels Theatre team

Hey, D/disability-identified theatre artists, friends, allies, and would-be-allies! Come chat, share ideas, and just plain hang out with Realwheels Theatre's Co-Artistic Director Adam Grant Warren and the (company currently known as) Realwheels team.

All D/disability-identified artists, established, emerging, or poised to emerge are welcome. So is anyone curious about joining, hiring, or otherwise connecting to D/disability theatre community. The bar will be open; there will be snacks, gentle music, a relaxation station, board games, conversation starters - and maybe some updates about what Realwheels is up to these days.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Transit via Route 84 (Manitoba Street stop) or Olympic Village Station (10-12 mins away on foot).

About the Host

Now based in Vancouver, Adam was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada. He started writing professionally in his early twenties, as a radio columnist for the CBC Morning Show. In that time, he also became Newfoundland’s youngest ever winner of both the Arts and Letters Award for Fiction, and the George Story Medal of Excellence in the Arts.

Adam then moved west to study at Vancouver Film School. His films have since screened as official selections at festivals including California’s Newport Beach Film Festival, the National Screen Institute’s Online All-Star Reel, and the Vancouver International Film Festival – where his film “Float” took home the honours for Best Canadian Short in 2012. In 2016, Conocerlos: Get to Know Them earned him his first BC Film Award nomination for Best Screenwriting.

In addition to his new position with Realwheels, Adam is an Artistic Associate with Vancouver’s All Bodies Dance Project. He has appeared in stage productions including Frank Theatre’s All In, Realwheels’ CREEPS, and Touchstone’s Kill Me Now — the latter two earning him Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards.

Following development as part of the National Writers’ Circle at Vancouver’s Playwrights’ Theatre Centre, Adam’s solo show, Last Train In, premiered to critical acclaim at UNOFest and rEvolver. More recently, Lights won Touchstone Theatre’s 2019 Flying Start Playwrights Competition and marked the beginning of the company’s 50th anniversary season. Adam’s current play, Saturday Nights at Axles, was the final component of his full-scholarship MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia and is now in development nationally. In 2024, he joined the Scotiabank Dance Centre as an Artist-in-Residence.

Learn about Realwheels Theatre at realwheels.ca.
Mar 24 2025 | Black Theatre Artists Hangout
Industry Hangout: Black Theatre Artists

Black Theatre Artists Hangout

Monday, March 24, 2025, 6:30–9:30pm PST
Havana 
1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Free to attend. 
Hosted by Adonis Critter King

The Black Theatre Artist Hangout is an informal gathering for Black folx in the theatre community to come chat, have a snack, and build community with each other. Whether you're a playwright, designer, director, producer, or actor, you're invited! 

Appetizers are provided by the GVPTA & the frank theatre company.

Adonis Critter King headshot
About the Host

Adonis Critter King is a Black, Queer, Trans and non-binary, multi-disciplinary writer, director, producer, dramaturg, and Obeah in training. Their work interweaves the mundane and the divine, the monstrous and the holy, the laughter and the grief, to explore collective liberation, revolution as a way of life, and the strength it takes to stand sturdy in the difficult choices it takes to liberate ourselves and our futures.


Adonis was the 2016 Youth Poet Laureate of Victoria, received the 2017 VACCS Community Recognition Award, and the 2020 Witness Legacy Award for Social Purpose and Responsibility Through Art. Their work has been published by Playwrights Canada Press & and produced by CBC Gem.

Mar 3 2025: T4T: A Trans Theatre Artists Hangout
T4T: A Trans Theatre Artist Hangout

T4T: A Trans Theatre Artists Hangout

Monday, March 3, 2025, 7:00–9:00pm
Progress Lab 1422
1422 Williams St, Vancouver
Free to attend. 
Hosted by Angelica Schwartz & Anais West
Presented with support from GVPTA, Neworld Theatre, and the frank theatre company.

Calling all trans, non-binary and Two Spirit theatre artists! GVPTA with Neworld Theatre and the frank theatre company invite you to the T4T Trans Theatre Artist Hangout, a space by and for our community to gather, connect with fellow creators, and foster joy in these dark times.


Gender-diverse theatre-makers at any stage of their careers are welcome, whether you're emerging, established, or anywhere in between. There will be games, mingling, ice-breakers, a low-sensory chill space, delicious snacks and zero-proof beverages. Let's stoke the embers of collective care, because we're stronger together. 

Jan 28 2025 | A New Year Mixer for Artists & Arts Workers with Intrepid Theatre | Victoria
Industry Hangout: A New Year Mixer for Artists and Arts Workers

A New Year Mixer for Artists & Arts Workers with Intrepid Theatre

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 5:30–7:00pm
Intrepid Studio 
#2 - 1609 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2J5
Phone: (250) 383-2663 
Presented with support from GVPTA.

Join the Intrepid team in Victoria to kick off the new year over drinks, snacks, socializing and friendship bracelet making! 


FREE! This is a great chance to mix & mingle with other local artists and arts workers, ask questions about Intrepid's artist programs, residencies or festivals, and maybe meet your next collaborator. 

Nov 4 2024 | Rumble & Friends: Ask Us Anything! | Vancouver

Rumble & Friends: Ask Us Anything!

Monday, November 4, 2024, 7pm

Progress Lab 1422 – Studio (1422 William St, Vancouver, BC)


New to the Indie Theatre scene? Or maybe you’ve been around the block and are wondering what’s new post-COVID? Or maybe you just want to hang out – come as you are; you are welcome! 


Join our friends at Rumble for the first Living Room Salon, returning after a (state mandated) hiatus. This Living Room will be an “ask us anything” – meaning you truly can ask anything. How do you apply for grants? Who’s this Brecht guy? What’s a dramaturge? Why are things still so racist? We may not have all the answers – but we’ve got a bunch, and we’re so happy to be sharing with you again.

Oct 21 2024 | Parents & Caregivers Hangout | Vancouver

Parents and Caregivers Hangout

Monday, October 21, 2024, 5pm-7pm

Brewing August (1614 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver, BC) 


The Parents and Caregivers Hangout is an informal gathering for anyone in the theatre community who has a little one at home. Kids are welcome at this venue, so bring them along! 


This hangout was hosted by Itai Erdal, an acclaimed lighting designer, writer, performer, and the founder of The Elbow Theatre in Vancouver. With over 300 lighting designs for theatre, dance, and opera across more than 50 cities in North America and Europe, his work includes collaborations with notable companies such as the Stratford Festival, Vancouver Opera, and Arts Club. His accolades include six Jessie Richardson Awards, a Dora Mavor Moore Award, and the Edinburgh Lustrum Award, among others. 

Oct 1 2024 | Season Launch Social | Vancouver

2024/25 Season Launch Social

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 5pm-7pm PDT
Free for GVPTA members
Moxies West Georgia (180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver)

Join us for a community-wide hangout as the 24/25 season gets underway. GVPTA members (including Individual members as well as any staff of GVPTA Company and Associate member companies) are invited to enjoy some snacks and chats and an opportunity to (re)connect with folks from all across the Metro Vancouver theatre community. 

Snacks will be provided, as well as a non-alcoholic welcome drink provided by GVPTA sponsor Moxies West Georgia.
May 9 2024 | Theatre Administrators Hangout | Vancouver

Theatre Administrators Hangout

May 9, 2024, 4:00–6:30pm

Luppolo Brewing Company(1123 Venables St. Vancouver)

Free! 


The Admin Hangout is an informal gathering for anyone who works in Metro Vancouver as a theatre administrator or producer. Whether you are established or just getting started - all are welcome!

Please come and have a snack or drink and socialize with people who are in the same boat as you. If you are new to the industry, there will a hosts present to help make introductions and connections. And the GVPTA is buying appetizers!
Apr 22 2024 | Emerging Artists | Victoria

Emerging Artists Hangout - Victoria

April 22, 5:00–7:00pm
846 Broughton Street, Victoria
Free! 


Calling all emerging artists! Theatre SKAM and Hapax Theatre are hosting an emerging artist mixer in Victoria, BC, with support from GVPTA.  On April 22 from 5-7 PM, join us at 846 Broughton St. to meet your fellow artists and get to know one another! This is a space to forge new connections and grow present ones. 

Apr 8 2024 | Technicians | New Westminster

Technicians Industry Mixer with ILEA and BC CITT 

April 8, 6:00–7:00pm
Kelly O'Bryans & Carlos O'Bryans (800 Columbia St, New Westminster)

Free! 


Following the ILEA Connect Job Fair, held in partnership with CITT and Douglas College, theatre technicians and those interested in the industry are invited to a mixer in New Westminster. First round of appies sponsored by GVPTA. Come chat, socialize, and enjoy some food around the table!