Educational programs

OVERVIEW

Presented as part of Theatre Alberta’s Workshop by Request: The Bow Valley Series, this three-day workshop intensive explores Mammalian Diving Reflex’s approach to socially engaged performance by focusing on how ordinary people and their stories are the foundation of compelling artistic work.

Mammalian Diving Reflex is a research-art atelier that conducts cultural explorative work. The company is based in Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Founded in 1993 by Darren O’Donnell, Mammalian Diving Reflex has created dozens of award-winning performances that tour internationally including Haircuts by Children, All the Sex I’ve Ever Had, Nightwalks with Teenagers, The Last Minutes Before Mars,Everything Has Disappeared, and Teentalitarianism.

This workshop is presented by Theatre Alberta and Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity in partnership with Azimuth Theatre and Thou Art Here Theatre.

Workshop DESCRIPTION

Discover why ordinary people and their stories are the foundation of compelling artistic work, through a combination of theory, fieldwork, and hands-on practice.

Mammalian’s workshop examines how art can bridge divides, facilitate understanding, and catalyze social change through face-to-face encounters in real life. 

Participants will:

• examine case studies from Mammalian’s work

• learn interview and transcript-based techniques

• venture into the community of Banff to prove that everyone is interesting

• collaborate with one another to create a small internal presentation from material gathered through interviews within the group.

REQUIREMENTS

This workshop is for any/all theatre practitioners interested in devised theatre creation and performance. Especially for those artists curious about making socially engaged work and the belief that everyone, absolutely everyone, has a story worth exploring.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis to confirm eligibility and program fit. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all spaces are filled.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

Visa Eligibility Information: 

• Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.

• If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.

INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome. The workshops in the series are requested by Theatre Alberta members, ensuring they are responsive and relevant to emerging needs in the community.

ITINERARY

• Thursday, November 26, 2026 - 7:00pm-9:00pm Welcome and Social Gathering Event *Optional

• Friday, November 27, 2026 - 10:00am-5:00pm Workshop Day 1

• Saturday, November 28, 2026 - 10:00am-5:00pm Workshop Day 2

• Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 10:00am-3:00pm Workshop Day 3

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

DARREN O'DONNELL

He is an urban cultural planner, novelist, essayist, playwright, filmmaker, performance director, and the artistic director and founder of Mammalian Diving Reflex. His  books include Your Secrets Sleep with Me (2004); Social Acupuncture (2006), in which he argues for an aesthetics of civic engagement; and Haircuts by Children and Other Evidence for a New Social Contract (2018), in which he proposes the cultural sector as a pilot for a new social contract with children. His performance work includes Haircuts by Children, All the Sex I’ve Ever Had, Nightwalks with Teenagers, The Last Minutes Before Mars,Everything Has Disappeared, and Teentalitarianism. 

His model for long-term collaboration with young people has been implemented in London, Bochum, Milan, and Berlin. He is interested in expanding and rethinking the role of cultural institutions in the world, particularly in terms of long-term engagement and collaborative friendships that spread into the wider community.

His institutional partners have included the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, the Humboldt Forum, the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the London International Festival of Theatre, the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, the Schauspielhaus Bochum and the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art.

MAMMALIAN DIVING REFLEX

Based in Germany, Canada and Australia, Mammalian Diving Reflex is a research-art atelier conducting culturally explorative work since 1993. 

The artists of Mammalian are committed to social acupuncture: playful, provocative, site-specific, and social-specific participatory performances, events, moments, situations, stage-based work, gallery-based participatory installations, videos, art objects,  theoretical texts and models for youth engagement that are being replicated globally. Their team has successfully carried their energy into the fields of urban planning, writing, directing, art history, education, photography, videography, filmmaking, acting, playwriting, and qualitative and quantitative research.

Mammalian Diving Reflex’s work dismantles barriers between individuals, fostering a dialogue between audience members, between the audience and the material, and between the performers and the audience. Their work is innovative; we collaborate with diverse groups of youth, seniors and adults, exploring and stretching the boundaries of what is considered theatre and performance.

They are regularly invited to present their work in some of the most important contemporary performing arts festivals and venues in the world as well at the primary school just down the block, past the house where the dog is always barking. 

FEES & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• 3-night option for Alberta Residents inc. workshop accommodation and a meal plan $909.30

• 3-night option, Non-Alberta Residents inc. workshop accommodation and a meal plan $1,014.30

• 2-night option for Alberta Residents inc. workshop accommodation and a meal plan $766.50

• 3-night option, Non-Alberta Residents inc. workshop accommodation and a meal plan $871.50

APPLICATION FEE

• $35 Registration Fee

• A non-refundable deposit of $100 towards the workshop fee will be charged upon registration.

• Information on Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity’s cancellation policy is available on their website.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Meal Plan

• Accommodation

• Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives

• Campus Facilities

• Studio Space

• Group Seminar / Workshops

• More details in Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity’s website.

DATES

The welcoming event on Thursday, November 26, 2026 (7-9pm) is optional. During the application process, please select the accommodation option that best suits your needs.

• 3-night option: November 26, 27, and 28 2027

• 2-night option: November 27 and 28 2027

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are various avenues to receive financial support for your tuition.

• General Financial Assistance from Theatre Alberta

• The Michelle Dias Community Service Award

• Local theatre organizations and public granting bodies.

You can learn more about these options here: Fees & Financial Assistance

TAX INFORMATION

Banff Centre is a post-secondary institution in the province of Alberta. We are required to issue tax receipts for applicable financial assistance and awards received, and eligible tuition charged, as per the Income Tax Act and Canada Revenue Agency.

To learn more, please visit Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity’s website.

Past Education Programs

Puppet Making with Ali DeRegt