Biindigen 2026
From Fire and Steel: Indigenous Stories of the Hammer. 

Biindigen is back for a third year!

Are you an emerging Indigenous artist living and creating in and around Hamilton? Does learning from and working with artists alongside other Indigenous peers sound exciting? Then this might be the program for you! All participants invited to join Biindigen will gain new skills and insights into the world of professional theatre and build community with Indigenous peers and artists. 

This year, the program offers two training streams:

🔥 Mentorship Stream — for emerging Indigenous playwrights

Selected participants will be paired with a professional mentor and supported through bi-monthly dramaturgical meetings. Over the course of the program, they will develop a new piece that will receive a 20–25 minute workshop presentation as part of a two-day showcase at the end of the program (May 15 – 17, 2026). Theatre Aquarius will provide artistic support, including actors, a director, and production resources. In addition, they will also have the opportunity to participate in the “workshop stream”.

Applicants to this stream should submit material they are currently developing or a strong idea for a piece they wish to shape into a theatrical work. Those selected will be granted an interview. 

🔥 Workshop Stream — for Indigenous participants exploring multiple disciplines

Participants in this stream will have the opportunity to attend six workshops led by industry professionals. These workshops offer training across various areas of the performing arts, including playwriting, movement & storytelling, design & space as story, voice & song, and more. In addition, for those who wish to deepen their learning, there will be opportunities to shadow various Theatre Aquarius productions.

Workshop Dates:

March 3, 17 & 31, April 14 & 28, and May 5
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm 

For both streams, participants’ expenses will be compensated. 

How do we define Indigenous?

Biindigen defines “Indigenous” as self-identified (status or non-status) First Nations, Inuit and Métis from Turtle Island (North America), as well as Indigenous peoples from other regions, including but not limited to Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Greenland.