Paprika Festival

Paprika is a youth-led performing arts Festival celebrating young artists as they create original performances with the support of an entire artistic community. The 2016/17 Paprika Festival is presented with Festival Partner Native Earth Performing Arts and is a Resident Company of Theatre Passe Muraille. With Community Partners Cahoots Theatre Company and The Toronto Fringe. We are guided by four

key principles

MEET OTHER ARTISTS
To give the opportunity for young people to connect with their peers in an authentic way in the creation of the performing arts. To create meaningful connections with artistic mentors who are invested in the future generation of young professionals. PLAY OPENLY
To laugh. To have fun. To empower young people to be young artists with the confidence to know that, through their passion, they can make a difference. CREATE NEW WORK
To generate a supportive yet rigorous community that inspires young people to create the highest caliber of artistic work. SHARE YOUR VOICE
To bring a generation of young leaders into our cultural industry as practitioners, social entrepreneurs and advocates for social change through art. We value

ACCESSIBILITY
We value barrier free access to our programs. Our programs are free-of-charge and are inclusive to peoples of all origin, faith, mobility, economic status, sexual orientation, and any other equity-seeking group. LEADERSHIP
We value youth-led initiatives and the empowerment that comes from supportive communities. These are young artists—they deserve the respect that comes with this practice and therefore must take on this responsibility. CULTURE
We value the diversity of voices that represent the residents of our city and beyond. We value artistic expression in all of its forms, particularly those voiced by young people. ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
We value experiences that inspire, challenge, risk, and require hard work to deliver artistic excellence on our stage. TO DATE
In our 15 seasons to date we have supported the artistic work of nearly 1,000 individuals and launched over 100 professional careers. We have grown from a Festival of five short plays to a Festival with year-round programming featuring a diversity of productions, playwrights-in-residence, a resident company, a creators’ unit, a youth advisory board, a cabaret series, ongoing mentorship, monthly training days and a vibrant connection to the professional arts community. HISTORY
Established in 2001 by 18 year-old Anthony Furey, the Paprika Festival has evolved in its vision and scope significantly. The young Mr. Furey approached former Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre, Urjo Kareda, with the idea of creating a Festival that showcased work created entirely by young people. In March 2002, the first Paprika Festival showcased five new plays created by artists 21 and under.