Working Together

What are you
working on?

I work with artists, companies, festivals and training programs as a director and producer. I also help with funding, feedback and teaching.

You might have a production ready to rehearse, an idea you haven’t found the form for yet, or a group that needs time to think together. You don’t need to know exactly what to ask for before getting in touch.

Start a conversation

Directing

An ensemble gathers across a kitchen and living-room set. — Photo: Brian Postalian

Plays, new work and participation

I direct plays, adaptations, devised work and participatory performance. I can join you in rehearsal, lead a development workshop or work with an ensemble to find the form for a new idea.

Direct a production or lead a creation process
Develop material with an ensemble
Offer dramaturgy or an outside eye on work in progress

Talk to me about directing

Producing

Brian Postalian speaks into a microphone beside collaborators at a SummerWorks award celebration. — Photo: Dahlia Katz

Development, production and touring

I work alongside artists on the practical decisions that let the work happen: who needs to be involved, what it will cost and how much time it needs. I can join for one stage or stay with a project through development and presentation.

Turn an idea into a plan, budget and schedule
Coordinate people, contracts and partnerships
Support development, production, touring or festival delivery

Talk to me about producing

Funding

A performer raises flowing red fabric on a rocky island above a river, with a raft at the water’s edge. — Image courtesy of Myriad Dance Projects

Applications, budgets and project plans

An application needs to explain what you want to make, why it matters and how it can happen. I help artists write that case and work out where to apply, across municipal, provincial and federal arts funding.

Explain the artistic idea and why you want to make it
Write or edit an application
Develop budgets, workplans and supporting materials

You can bring me an early idea, a draft that isn’t working or an application that needs writing.

Talk to me about an application

Facilitation & teaching

Brian Postalian smiles while facilitating a BOLDLY workshop, standing beside handwritten feedback notes. — Photo: Sebastien Galina

Workshops, feedback and collaborative creation

I teach and lead workshops in making, producing and responding to performance. We start with the questions the group wants to work on, then make time to try things and talk about what we notice.

Critical Response Process and creative feedback
Producing, pitching and project-development workshops
Collaborative creation and teaching in training programs

I am a certified practitioner of Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process.

Plan a workshop or session

People I’ve worked with.

Creative collaboration

“Brian created a rehearsal space that was open, fun, and rigorous. He invited us to bring our full selves into the collaborative process; he valued our contexts and viewpoints and didn't limit our participation based on the specific roles we were playing.”

Shira LeuchterPerformer / theatre creator · The Smile Off Your Face

Audience care

“Brian extends exquisite care towards the audience. He thinks through the layers of their experience and how different audience members can engage with the work in ways that feel inviting and inclusive, while still provocative and in keeping with the aesthetic and ethos of the work.”

Meagan WoodsArtistic collaborator · New Societies

Facilitation

“I enjoyed their energy, humour and patience. I learned a lot more about [...] non-judgemental and consensual feedback.”

Alyssa KostelloCritical Response Process workshop participant

Teaching & directing

“When facilitating rehearsals he gracefully maintained a balance between providing directions and allowing room for independent exploration of the character. He often posed questions that urged me to think more deeply about the script, instead of laying all the answers in front of me.”

Yasmin DerayatCast member · Everybody, UBC MedPlay

Play & rigour

“Brian truly encourages their actors to find a sense of play every day, creating an environment filled with dedication, while always leaving room for some good laughs.”

Nell SenkevichActor and student · Fefu and Her Friends · University of Toronto Mississauga, 2022

Care for participants

“Brian also took a sincere interest in connecting with participants. He was curious about our larger trajectories, approachable, and stayed after the workshop to answer questions and connect further.”

Zahida RahemtullaCritical Response Process workshop participant, 2023

Tell me what you’re working on.

Tell me about the idea, who’s involved and when you hope to make it. If there’s a budget or funding deadline, include that too. It’s fine if you’re still working some of this out.

We can talk through what you need, what I can take on and the fee. Access, rest and the time people need belong in that conversation too.