READ UP ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Satori Shakoor in ‘da Kink in my Hair. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

A series of online training workshops presented by Expect Theatre

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE: Understanding Conflict as a Storytelling Tool with Michael Ross Albert

Conflict is the driving force of dramatic writing. But in the early stages of a new play's development, writers have a tendency to focus on other storytelling elements, which can disrupt the text's dramatic momentum and unbalance its structure. In this course, writers will be encouraged to mine their plays for conflict in order to heighten the emotional stakes of their work and mould their writing into rich, dramatically satisfying arcs. 

Emerging and/or mid-career playwrights will learn how to use conflict as a conduit for plot exposition, as a catalyst for character development, and as the engine for a play's dramatic action. Participants will be invited to share new works in process, and receive feedback with a focus on plot, structure, and high-stakes storytelling.

Dates: Mondays March 2-30, 2026 (5 sessions)

Time: 6:30-9pm EST on Zoom

Fee for participants: $325

Subsidized spots are available, email Breanne at breanne@expect.org to inquire.

Application due: February 20

  • Described by the Toronto Star as “one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights,” Michael Ross Albert is a Dora Award-nominated writer whose work has been staged across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. His plays include The Bidding War (Crow's Theatre; finalist, Carol Bolt Award), The Village It Takes (finalist, Tom Hendry Drama Award) Beautiful Renegades (Peggy Baker Dance Projects), Two Minutes to Midnight (The Assembly Theatre), Miss (Unit 102), and Tough Jews (Dora Award nomination, Outstanding New Play). Michael's work has been presented in multiple Fringe festivals, including Edinburgh, Brighton, Halifax, and FringeNYC. Five of his plays were staged in the Toronto Fringe Festival, including: The Huns, Anywhere (both: Patron’s Pick and Best of Fringe), and Good Old Days. He is currently working on new plays commissioned by the Stratford Festival and Vertigo Theatre, as well as new works supported by Soulpepper Theatre and the Coal Mine Theatre. 

APPLY

STORY TO SCREEN: Screenwriting with Diane Flacks

Dates: Tuesdays March 3-31, 2026 (5 sessions)

Time: 6:30-9pm EST on Zoom

Fee for participants: $325

Subsidized spots are available, email Breanne at breanne@expect.org to inquire.

Application due: February 20

Fire up your imagination, and turn your notion into action. Do you have an idea that you know could soar on screen? Do you want to adapt your novel, play, story, life into “action”? Are you flummoxed by the structure and style of screenwriting?

Whether you are an experienced screen writer looking for help sparking your next project, or a new writer looking to write that pilot or screenplay that’s been tickling the back of your mind forever, I am here to help ignite your work and tackle the barriers that might be in your way, with a gentle but powerful touch.

We will dive in deep, prompt some exciting, practical ideas, crack what ails you, and support each other in a community that is generous, rigorous and gentle. 

Let’s have fun, let’s get into it, let’s GOOO.

  • Diane Flacks is a writer/actor, dramaturge, and story editor, in theatre, TV, radio, and media. Diane’s writing for TV includes Workin’ Moms, Baroness von Sketch Show, Young Drunk Punk, Working the Engels and Kids in the Hall - for which she was nominated for an Emmy. She has co-created and written numerous TV series for CBC, and has developed projects for Shaftesbury, eOne, Incendo Productions and Lionsgate to name a few. As a playwright and actor, her fifth one-person play, Guilt (a love story) directed by Alisa Palmer, premiered at the Tarragon, and toured to rave reviews. It was also adapted for CBC podcast, PlayMe. Diane recently co-wrote and acted in PALS, at the WJT, with her theatrical brother, Richard Greenblatt, with whom she also wrote SIBS and CARE, both for the Tarragon Theatre. SIBS was adapted into an audio play for PlayMe. Also for Tarragon, is her play about medical risk and compassion, Waiting Room. She wrote and starred in Unholy, her critically acclaimed play about women and religion for Nightwood Theatre, directed by Kelly Thornton. Unholy was nominated for a Dora for outstanding new play, and was filmed live for TV. Selected theatre acting credits: most recently, Diane played Constance in Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet, directed by Alisa Palmer in NFLD. For Theatre Calgary: Mayer Lehman in The Lehman Trilogy, (nominated for a Betty Mitchell award for best ensemble and production) directed by Sarah Garton Stanley. Diane appeared in the touring adaptation of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Fall on Your Knees, directed by Alisa Palmer. She played the titular role of Nathan in Nathan the Wise in Stratford. Diane received a Dora nomination for outstanding performance in Body Politic. Diane’s four other solo shows Myth Me, By A Thread, Random Acts and Bear With Me (adapted from her book of the same name), have been critically acclaimed and remounted internationally.

    She was CBC radio’s national parenting columnist for 7 years, and a featured columnist at The Toronto Star and the Globe. Diane regularly leads writing workshops and intensives(@writingwithdf). Diane is the proud mom of two astonishing sons.

APPLY

WORDSMITH: The Art & Craft of Writing Prose with Elizabeth Ruth

Dates: Thursdays April 2-30, 2026 (5 sessions)

Time: 6:30-9 EST on Zoom

Fee for participants: $325

Subsidized spots are available, email Breanne at breanne@expect.org to inquire.

Application due: March 20

Calling all Wordsmiths, at any level! This course is designed to help you explore your imagination on the page, gain confidence in your voice, and develop skills and knowledge in key areas of writing craft: character, plot, dialogue, setting, and revision. Aspiring writers at any level of experience and background will enjoy learning through exercises, prompts, readings and group discussion. You will have the opportunity to share writing and receive constructive feedback in a supportive workshop format. You will also learn about the writing life. Come, surprise yourself with what you can create!

  • Elizabeth Ruth’s novels are: Semi-Detached, Matadora, Smoke, and Ten Good Seconds of Silence. Her poetry is, This Report Is Strictly Confidential. Elizabeth’s work has been recognized by Writers’ Trust of Canada Fiction Prize, City of Toronto Book Award, Amazon First Novel Award, and One Book One Community. CBC named her “One of Ten Canadian Women Writers You Must Read.” Elizabeth published a plain language novella, Love You to Death for adult literacy learners and edited the anthology, Bent on Writing: Contemporary Queer Tales. Elizabeth Ruth, MA, MFA, teaches creative writing at University of Toronto.

APPLY

PAST COURSES

  • THE LEAP: Expanding from Playwriting into TV Writing with Anusree Roy

  • FIND YOUR FUNNY: Crafting Your Comedic Voice with Ali Hassan

  • SAY IT WITH A SONG: The Basics of Musical Theatre Writing with Britta Johnson

  • PLAYWRITING 101: Getting to a First Draft with Erin Shields

  • ME, IRL: Turning Awkward Life Moments into Sketches with Aurora Browne

  • WRITING FOR MUSIC THEATRE: A Step by Step Guide with Beau Dixon

  • REALLY EFFECTIVE WEAPON: Writing Comedy with Mark Crawford

  • SLIDING OVER TO THE MIC: How to adapt your craft to perform behind the mic with Dee Shipley

  • OH. THEY’RE SUDDENLY SINGING: How Musicals and Narrative Songwriting Work with Kevin Wong

  • Queer Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor

    PLAY FINDING: Discovering Your Play in Your Own Story with Daniel MacIvor

  • Canadian screenwriter Fab Filippo

    WRITER’S ROOM—Idea/Pitch/Pilot: A 3-Day TV Writing Intensive with Fab Filippo

  • Black Canadian writer Leah-Simone Bowen

    MIC DROP: From Playwriting to Podcasting with Leah-Simone Bowen

  • INDIE CINEMA: Making Movies No Matter What with Sook-Yin Lee

  • CRITICAL THINKING:  The role of theatre criticism & how to use it with Glenn Sumi

  • WORKING TOGETHER: An Agent & Playwright, in Conversation with Colin Rivers & Marcus Youssef

  • CREATE YOUR OWN RESIDENCY: A Resource for Playwrights, Directors, and Creators with Amiel Gladstone

  • SMALL SCREEN, BIG STAGE: A Crash Course in TV Writing for Playwrights with Chloé Hung

  • PERFECT PITCH: How to present touring projects, productions, and scripts to Artistic Directors with Jillian Keiley

  • CRIME STORY: How to Tell Compelling and Engaging True Crime Podcasts with Kathleen Goldhar

  • ONLY THE TRUTH IS FUNNY: or, Everything You Wanted to Know About Writing a One Person Show but Were Afraid to Ask, with Sandra Shamas

  • START HERE: Introduction to Playwriting with Keith Barker

  • MUST WATCH: Writing TV Drama with Greg Nelson

ACCESS

From Script to Soundwaves

Join us for an immersive workshop designed for writers who are ready to harness the power of podcasting and take their storytelling beyond the stage. 

This workshop provides a rare chance to explore the art of writing for audio, whether by crafting original audio dramas or adapting existing stage scripts to work in the podcasting realm. With an emphasis on storytelling that resonates in audio, participants will gain insight into the nuances that make audio drama distinct from traditional theatre.

Through engaging hands-on activities, participants will hone their skills in crafting dialogue, designing soundscapes, and experimenting with foley techniques. These practical skills will empower them to bring their stories to life in the audio medium, ensuring they leave the workshop with a strong understanding of how to produce compelling audio content.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to elevate your craft and share your stories with listeners around the world.

Registration is now closed.