• Two teens animatedly speak into a microphone, with trees and leaves in the background

New Young Reviewers Program

The New Young Reviewers program, supported by the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund, is a FREE workshop series and writing group for 10 emerging theatre and performance reviewers ages 15 and up.

In partnership with Intermission magazine, New Young Reviewers is led by Signy Lynch (Contemporary Theatre Review, Canadian Theatre Review, Intermission Magazine) and Stephanie Fung (Kingston Theatre Alliance, Canadian Theatre Review, Single Thread Theatre). The program will focus on introducing participants to the basics of theatre reviewing and help them develop responses to Toronto Fringe performances. It will also encourage participants to explore new, creative approaches to criticism that are emerging in the field, and to begin to define themselves as critics and reviewers.


The 2024 program begins June 9th! Apply to be part of the program here!

Deadline: May 20th, 2024 by 11:59pm

Read their past reviews at Intermission Magazine here.

  • Stephanie has a dark shoulder length bob, dark eyes, and wears a v-neck dark vest. She looks into the camera with pursed lips.

    FACILITATOR: Stephanie Fung

    Stephanie Fung (they/she) is an interdisciplinary artist and arts worker from Tkaronto/Toronto who is fascinated by the concept of convention and how we contest culture. A performer, writer, director, theatre critic—they are drawn to concepts that explore monstrosity, consumption, exposure, and grief. Learn more at http://www.stephaniefung.ca

  • Signy has very curly dark hair cut into a bob, dark rimmed glasses, and is smiling at the camera

    FACILITATOR: Signy Lynch

    Signy Lynch is a theatre scholar, critical dramaturg, educator, and Governor General’s Gold Medal winner (2022). Her areas of research specialization include contemporary intermedial, participatory, intercultural, diasporic and Black theatre in Canada; audience research; and theatre criticism. As of July 2023 she is Assistant Professor at UofT’s Mississauga campus, and Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies. She is co-director of the Centre for Spectatorship and Audience Research (centreforspectatorship.com). Her essay “Performing at Home in the Pandemic” (Canadian Theatre Review vol. 191) was named runner-up for Outstanding Critical Essay by the Canadian Theatre Critics Association (2022).

  • Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund

    About the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund

    For over three decades, beloved theatre reviewer Jon Kaplan wrote about and celebrated Toronto theatre. He was a strong supporter of young artists and diverse voices. Following his death in 2017, the Jon Kaplan Legacy Fund was created to provide recognition and financial support for theatre makers at all stages of their careers.