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Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA)

Programs + Initiatives

Hello: Performers Intake

Hello I'm a Performer

GVPTA's Hello program offers theatre performers, designers, stage managers, and production professionals who are actively seeking work the opportunity to provide a resumé and create an introductory video that will be seen by directors, producers, and other theatre hiring personnel.


While our focus is Metro Vancouver and surrounding regions, we will accept applications from individuals based in other communities within B.C.


The Hello program is held and managed on the principles of equity and diversity. We invite participants from all backgrounds including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, indigeneity, gender, sexual orientation, class, mental and physical ability.


Fall 2024 intake is now closed.


Note: If you work in a sector of the theatre industry other than Performing, Design, Production Management, Technical Direction, or Stage Management, and are interested in the Hello program, please email Mishelle at mishelle@gvpta.ca to discuss your options.

Interested in the program? 

Contact Programs Manager Mishelle Cuttler at mishelle@gvpta.ca, and learn about future intakes and other program info by signing up for our newsletter. 

Timeline

Eligibility & Expectations

How do I apply?

I've been invited to participate! What's next?

FAQs

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Timeline

​​Here are the important dates to remember:

  • September 25, 4pm - Deadline to apply (Extended to October 10)
  • September 27 - Applicants receive notification of results (Late submissions notified by October 11)
  • October 15 - Deadline for invited participants to submit materials
Eligibility & Expectations

​​Expand the accordion below to learn about whether you're eligible to apply, and what to expect if your application is approved and you are invited to participate. 

How is Hello different from GVPTA's former Unified General Auditions (UGAs)?
While the UGAs functioned as general auditions for hiring companies in BC, Hello is focused on sharing introductions with hiring personnel. In addition to performers and designers, the program includes folks with experience in the areas of stage management, production management, and technical direction.

The goal of this program is to offer a platform for hiring personnel to get to know local theatre workers who are looking for employment, and to get a sense of who each individual is, both as a person and as an artist or arts worker.
Am I eligible to apply for the Hello program?
  • You must be based in British Columbia and seeking to be hired as a theatrical performer between now and September, 2025;
  • You have experience and/or training as a live theatre performer;
  • If invited to participate, you must be a current GVPTA Individual Member (sliding scale starting from $20) to confirm your spot in the program; 
  • Performers who participated in the 2023 Fall intake are eligible to apply again;
  • Performers who participated in the 2024 Spring Hello intake can opt to keep their existing Hello profiles active until March, 2025.

Priority will be given to those performers who are:

  • An emerging theatre artist; and/or

  • Identify as being from an underrepresented community (This may include, but not limited to: First Nations, Inuit, or Métis peoples; racialized artists; person who has/is blind, low vision, limited mobility, neurodiverse, deaf, hearing loss; living with a disability; minority language communities; LGBTQ2+); and/or

  • New to British Columbia (moved to BC between 2020 and 2024); and/or

  • A mid-career or established theatre artist or arts worker looking to expand their work into a new facet of the industry.

What should I expect if my application is approved and I am invited to participate?
Performers invited to participate in Hello can expect the following:
  • Those whose applications have been approved and are invited to participate will be notified by September 27, 2024. 
  • Invitees will submit a profile package containing a self-recorded video introduction, artist showcase, a headshot, and resumé. See "I've been invited to participate! What's next?" below for further details and guidelines.

  • All profiles will be available to access by invited directors and company representatives over a one-year period. You may request to have your profile removed at any point.

  • Invitations for job interviews, auditions, or callbacks are at the sole discretion of each attending production company or director, all of whom will contact you using the information on your resumé. See FAQ for more details.

  • Please note: Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

What companies have participated previously and accessed artists' materials?
Who might you expect to access your recording, resumé, and other materials? Applications to access the viewing platform are accepted from companies and independent directors on a rolling basis. 

As an example, directors or hiring personnel from the following companies participated in Spring, 2023:

Arts Club Theatre Company
Axis Theatre Company
Blackout Art Society
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre
Carousel Theatre for Young People
Delta Stageworks
Exact Resemblance
Gateway Theatre
Miracle Theatre
Neworld Theatre
Pacific Theatre
Pi Theatre
Presentation House Theatre
rice and beans theatre
Ruby Slippers Theatre
Savage Society
shameless hussy productions
The Dance Centre
United Players of Vancouver
vAct (Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre)
Zee Zee Theatre
Application requirements: How do I apply?
​​Please note: Submitting an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate.
1. General Details
  • Your full name, email, and phone number;
  • Your pronouns;
  • Your location in B.C.;
  • Which of the following you identify as:
    • Emerging theatre artist or worker; and/or
    • Mid-career or established theatre artist or worker (and why the program would benefit you now); and/or 
    • New to British Columbia (moved to BC between 2020 and 2024).
  • Whether you participated or were invited to participate in either Hello or GVPTA's Unified General Auditions in the past.
2. Headshot
  • One headshot in PDF or JPEG format (maximum 10MB);
  • File format must include your Full Name, Content of file, and PDF/JPEG format. (e.g. FirstName_LastName-Headshot.pdf);
  • Digital dimension equivalent to a 8 x 10” printed shot;
  • Please ensure the headshot looks like you.
3. Theatrical Resumé
  • One document, a maximum of two pages in PDF format (maximum 10MB);
  • File name must include your Full Name, Content of file, and PDF format. (e.g. FirstName_LastName-Resume.pdf);
  • Ensure your name and contact information are included;
  • Recommended: List your theatre credits at the top of the resumé;


Tip: Search "Sample Theatre Resume" online for some clear examples of formatting, typically a three-column format.

4. Professional Associations
  • Indicate whether you're a member of any other professional associations or unions.
I’ve been invited to participate! What’s next?
​​Following the application review, performers who are selected to participate in the Hello program will be asked to submit a self-recorded video to be viewed by directors and hiring personnel.
 
Your recording will include a self introduction outlining your artistic practice and relevant skills as a performer, AND an artistic showcase of your choice (monologue, song, dance/movement piece, or other talent). The total video length should be three (3) to five (5) minutes. It may not exceed 5 minutes.

Each director will have access to watch your video and to download your headshot and resumé, in order to directly contact performers they wish to see for a specific callback at a later date. 

Note: Callbacks are at the sole discretion of each attending production company or director, all of whom will contact you using the information on your resumé. See FAQ for more details.

If invited to participate, you must be a current GVPTA Individual Member (sliding scale starting from $20) to confirm your spot in the program. 
Performer Profile Video Requirements
Performers will submit a video, three (3) to five (5) minutes in length. 

Your single video file must include, in the following order:
  1. Name and pronouns
  2. Introduction: Tell viewers about your artistic practice, relevant skills, and interests as a performer.
  3. Artistic showcase of your choice

It is up to you how you choose to divide your time, but the entire video must not exceed 5 minutes.

Video specifications:
  • All submission videos must be in .MOV or .MP4 format
  • Resolution: 720 p - 1080 p (HD)
  • Compressed files preferred (maximum 200 MB)
  • No camera movement
  • Filmed horizontally
Introduction Specifications

This is an opportunity for viewers to learn about who you are and what you care about as a performer. In the video please share the following:

  • Your artistic practice - Who are you as a person and performer? What are your values as a performer? What kind of work is your favourite?
  • Relevant Skills - Any relevant skills from your resumé you’d like to share?
Artist Showcase Specifications
Please select one (1) artistic showcase that you feel best represents who you are and your greatest strength as a theatrical performer. Showcase options include:
  • Theatrical monologue OR
  • Song (a capella or accompanied) OR
  • Dance/Movement piece OR
  • Any other talent that you feel will best represent who you are as a person and a performer
Frequently Asked Questions for Performers

​​Click the questions below to expand the accordion and read more. 

1. How does the Hello program work?

Performers invited to participate in the Hello program will submit a video of up to 5 minutes in duration that includes an introduction and artist showcase. These videos, along with performers' resumés and headshots, will be accessible to participating directors for approximately one year. 
2. How do I get invited to participate?

Review the eligibility criteria and fill out the application form linked at the top of this page by the deadline. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the program.
3. How do I become a GVPTA member?
If you are invited to participate in the Hello program you will be required to have a current GVPTA Individual Membership to confirm your spot. 

If you are not a current member, invitees will be asked to complete a membership application form and pay an annual fee (sliding scale from $20). Find more information about becoming a member here.
4. If I'm accepted, how long can my profile video be?
The total video should be 3 to 5 minutes. 

You can split the time between introduction and artistic showcase as you like, but the full video cannot exceed 5 minutes. 
5. Does my artistic showcase need to be memorized?
Yes, in order to showcase yourself in the best light, any monologue or song shown in your artistic showcase should be memorized.
6. Will I get a callback from any of the directors?
Callbacks are at the discretion of each director and producing company, all of whom will be provided with your resumé to reach out to you directly. 

GVPTA is not a producing organization, and will not hold any callback auditions or be a liaison for any of the participating companies.

7. Who will see my performer profile?

All GVPTA Member Companies are invited to view the video submissions. Independent directors and non-member companies are also invited to participate if they intend to hire or create work in the next year. Given the shift to digital profiles which can be viewed over the course of each program intake, we cannot guarantee the number of directors or which individuals from the companies will view your profile.


For our current list of GVPTA member companies, check our member directory.

8. Can I submit to multiple Hello program streams?
Yes. Those who work in multiple fields may submit up to two applications. If you choose, you may apply as a Performer and either as a Designer OR as an Arts Worker. A separate application is required for each program stream. 

We encourage you to apply and, if invited to participate, discuss the full range of your artistic practices in your video(s). To be accepted through multiple two streams you must have an existing professional practice in both areas.

If you have space in your resumé (maximum of 2 pages), we suggest adding any other relevant work experience or skills you'd like to share with potential collaborators (e.g. stage management, technical directing, production management, event planning, etc).
9. I participated in the Spring 2024 Hello program (September). Can I create a new video and artistic profile?
No. Artists who took part in our last Hello program intake are welcome to keep their profiles active until March, 2025 or have it removed at the end of September. You can apply to create a new video in Spring, 2025.
10. What are some video and audio best practices and advice? Can I view an example?
General best practices for filming your video:
  • You’re welcome to film yourself with your phone, video recorder, or video camera;
  • Make sure you have front lighting so we can see your face;
  • Try your best to record in a quiet room or at a time with the least amount of background noise. Audio quality is key!
  • Do not use overlay filters or effects while filming your video;
  • Make sure you are framed in the shot and about 3/4s of you is visible (torso up), and camera is at eye level (not from above or below shots);
  • Avoid camera movement;
  • Do some research beforehand on your video settings. If you are new to self-taping check out the articles below:
11. What technical support can the GVPTA offer for submissions?
If you have specific technical complications for your submission our team can try and help, although we have limited resources ourselves.

Specifically if you have trouble with your media files (video or audio) being attached to our online form, then feel free to use either WeTransfer or shareable Google Drive link and send that to Mishelle at mishelle@gvpta.ca.

Please let us know if you have any barriers or challenges as you prepare your materials.

Articles on alternatives for submitting video or audio files:
  • WeTransfer is a free to use platform (although you can sign up to get more features) where folks can transfer files and prevent further compression (ie prevents file quality to be compromised). If you need a quick tutorial on how to use it, check out this video (made by JayCLife). Troubleshooting for WeTransfer can be found here on their Help page.
  • Google Drive Sharing is a way to use your Google Drive to share files (make sure to upload those files in your Drive first). If you need a quick tutorial on how to set up a shareable file via Google Drive, check out this video (made by LAT IT Trainer).

Artists and Arts Workers Application Intake (Fall 2024) is now closed

Questions or interested in the program?

If you have further questions about the Hello program, contact Mishelle Cuttler, Programs Manager, at mishelle@gvpta.ca. Learn about future Hello program intakes and more by signing up for our newsletter.