The Thought Network

ABOUT

We believe that artist-producers are well positioned to envision and enact progressive change in performing arts practice, the performing arts industry, and beyond. The Thought Network Residency is intended to empower those working in live performance, as creators and/or producers, to invest time and attention in investigating the most urgent questions they have identified while engaged in their practice. 

Participants receive support through the residency process, including facilitated coaching sessions, mentorship, peer support sessions, and a research/materials budget.


The residency findings and creations will be shared at the Thought Network Symposium (June 9 2026, Toronto), as well as in a series of public resources created by the Residents in collaboration with Generator’s staff and community. 

LINEAGE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: 

The Thought Network is a result of years of organizational commitment to a more just and intentional performing arts landscape. It evolved from a confluence of learnings and past activities, including: experimentation into artist-producer-led research via Generator’s Artist Producer Lab (2024 and 2025); the Producing Spectrum research project and symposium, led by Undercurrent Creations in partnership with Generator and the Theatre Centre (2024); Generator’s Artist-Producer Racial Innovation Cohort (2023); the need for iterative artist-producer spaces identified through Bianca Guimarães's conversations with artist-producers (2022); and Nikki Shaffeullah's sector research and leadership in projects like Stages of Transformation at the NAC - English Theatre (2020-2023).

The inaugural Thought Network Residency and Symposium is made possible thanks to funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council, and partnership from the Theatre Centre.


Researchers-In-Residence

Designers-in-Resdence