Working the Scene in Rainbow

Working the Scene in Rainbow is a live virtual scene-reading session, featuring works by 2SLGBTQIA+ Ontario-based scriptwriters.

Working the Scene in Rainbow is a place for 2SLGBTQIA+ writers to hear their work read aloud by 2SLGBTQIA+ professional actors and an opportunity to network with an audience of industry members. Actor/readers will be cast from within the ACTRA Toronto membership. The event is open to industry partners, friends and all ACTRA members in good standing.

If you are an Industry Partner (producer, director, casting director, literary agent, etc.), Working the Scene in Rainbow is a great opportunity to discover the ACTRA Toronto actor you need for your next project.

WORKING THE SCENE IN RAINBOW 5

EVENT DATE:

Monday, June 9th, 2025

EVENT LOCATION:

21 College Street (suite 610 – Théâtre français de Toronto rehearsal space) & on Zoom

CALL TIME:

6pm EDT (TBC)

EVENT TIME:

Reading 7pm-8:30pm EDT & Social 8:30pm-10pm EDT

Call for Writers

Scene submissions are being accepted until Saturday, April 26th, 2025 11:59pm EDT

Working the Scene in Rainbow is looking for:

  • Ontario-based writers who self-identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to submit new or previously unproduced works to be read as part of outACTRAto’s Working the Scene in Rainbow. 
  • Writers do not have to be members of WGC or ACTRA.
  • Writers must be available in-person/Zoom for the reading event and subsequent Q&A on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Goals: 

  • Giving space to established and emerging 2SLGBTQIA+ writers to have new scripts read live by professional actors, and for their work to be seen and heard by members of the industry.
  • Giving 2SLGBTQIA+ actors a space to perform in roles they may have less opportunity to work with in the industry, and to be seen and heard by industry members.

What to Expect:

  • A hybrid in-person and live Zoom scene reading that is open to writers, actors, and industry partners.
  • 4 scripts will be selected to be read by ACTRA members, cast to match roles as authentically as possible based on actors who apply.
  • There will be a Q&A for the writers. Actors are welcome to sit in as well.
  • This is a community event run entirely by volunteers, and all participation is unpaid. But every year Working The Scene In Rainbow provides a great opportunity to meet and exchange with other professional creatives in our 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

ELIGIBILTY:

  • Writer must self-identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
  • Writers who have applied to previous sessions are welcome to re-submit.
  • Only one submission per writer will be accepted. 

SCENE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Writers may submit one self-contained scene OR an excerpt from a larger work. Scripts in any stage of development are accepted.
  • No more than 5-6 pages, should be no more than 5 minutes long.
  • This opportunity is for Film and TV scripts only – No theatre.
  • Script must be one scene only in a read-ready state. No alterations will be allowed before the read.
  • Must be formatted in professional film script formatting. See example here
  • Must be submitted as a PDF.
  • At least one character in the scene should identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
  • Scripts that explore queerness through an intersectional lens and/or feature diverse queer and/or trans/non-binary characters are strongly encouraged.
  • Scripts will be assessed by overall concept, artistry/writing ability, characters, representation, and grammar/formatting.

Submissions must include:

  • 5-6 page script
  • Writer bio
  • Cast/character breakdown
  • Scene synopsis
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT

Questions, queries, concerns: wtsr@actratoronto.com

On behalf of the outACTRAto committee, we look forward to reading your work, and thank you in advance for your submission!

About outACTRAto

The outACTRAto Committee is dedicated to raising awareness about queer performers, our stories and our place in the industry and society. We value diversity and equality and we aim to be recognized, supported and valued as queer performers. We aspire to educate and inform our industry about realistic queer representation on screen as we seek a more accurate and balanced reflection of our rich and multifaceted community. We denounce and will work to end harassment and stereotyping of any kind. We will work to achieve true-to-life queer onscreen visibility of our culture and our stories, and to realize change in our industry.

For more information visit the outACTRAto page on the ACTRA Toronto website.

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About Working the Scene in Rainbow:

Working the Scene in Rainbow builds on the work of writer/artists Jessica Meya and Louis Taylor and their original project showcasing the work of creators, Working the Scene in Colour.

Many thanks to Louis, Jessica and to the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for sharing the Working the Scene in Colour template, their vision, and their valuable work and time with us.