MA Directing and Theatre Making and BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen Lecturer Katy Weir has returned to campus after spending a week at Directors Lab North 2026 this summer. Directors Lab is a directing incubator in Ontario, Canada held at the The University of Toronto.
The Lab endeavours to bring together directors from around the world to connect and share their experiences and expose the participants to a network of colleagues that they would not have had the opportunity to connect with otherwise. Participants share foreign techniques and practices, broadening the scope and repertoire of the group. The Lab is made up of a series of workshops, readings, rehearsals, investigations, roundtable discussions, shared sessions and master classes with Master Directors from around Canada and the world.
Each participant is hand selected, ensuring a diverse background in theatrical exploration and a distinct voice to the group, showcasing practices and principles far from each individual participants own theatrical experience, adding to each director’s technical and philosophical arsenal.
Speaking of attending the lab In June 2026 Katy said that, “out of 450 applicants 30 directors were selected from Iran to Canada, from Australia to Hartlepool. It was a week-long intensive course that had peer to peer learning, masterclasses, play visits, and networking.”
“I found the whole week really innovative and beneficial, sharing and learning new ideas that can be put back into my teaching at Northern School of Art. I also met an array of exciting artists, lecturers, researchers, and wonderful people from all over the world, and I cannot wait for us to make connections with them moving forward.”
Speaking of the experiences impact on her research and role at the school she said “This experience has been life-changing for me as a person and in terms of my role as lecturer. It has given me lots of different tools for my teaching practice and new and innovative artistic ideas and approaches to negotiating the world as an artist in 2026.”
If you are interested in perusing acting at degree-level make sure you check out our BA (Hons) for Stage & Screen programme today. If you are post degree and or are looking to progress your creative research and skill set in directing for theatre make sure you check out MA Directing and Theatre Making progamme.