Buddies Program
ABOUT
PACT believes mentorship is a social exchange for learning at various points of one’s career. It’s a constellation of theatre colleagues that all bring something to the table. For purposes of clarity, those wanting to participate in this program are called Buddies and those supporting these Buddies are called Mentors although mentorship goes beyond this binary.
With the success of the relaunch of the program in 2024, PACT is pleased to bring back the Buddies Program for PACTcon 2025.This program is open to anyone interested in having a mentor help them navigate the conference and make the most of it (even if you’ve attended before the pandemic).
In this program you’ll be paired with a Mentor also attending the conference. Mentors and their Buddies will have various touchpoints to meet prior to, during and after the conference, to strengthen your network and lean on experienced theatre artists and administrators in the community.
Buddies will have the chance to meet before the conference, at a breakfast kick-off on Wednesday, May 21st as well as an opportunity for the Buddy and Mentor to meet for a final lunch on the last day of the conference. We also encourage Buddy/Mentors to keep in touch after the conference. Mentors will have the chance to share knowledge and resources, infomring the next generation of theatre administrators across the country.
HOW TO SIGN-UP
Sign-up during the registration process for PACTcon 2025. If you have already registered but are interested in signing up for the Buddies Program please contact ainsleej@pact.ca
DEADLINE
The deadline to register is April 23, 2025. If you are interested and the deadline has passed, please contact ainsleej@pact.ca
IMPORTANT DATES
Buddies will be assigned by May 2, 2025.
The Pre-Conference Virtual Buddies gathering is on May 7, 2025 @1:00-1:45 pm.
Isabelle Ly
“Participating in the PACTcon Buddies Program in Montreal last year allowed me to make a new, meaningful connection with a colleague in another province . To this day, my Buddy and I are still in touch and it has been wonderful to continue to build on this relationship professionally and socially!”
-Isabelle Ly, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
Pat Rundell
"The PACT Buddy Program has been an incredible experience for me. At my first PACTcon, it gave me the confidence to meet new people, ask questions, and really feel part of the community. Later, as a Mentor, it was equally rewarding to give back and help others make the most of their conference experience. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve attended many times before, the program is a fantastic way to connect, share ideas, and enjoy everything PACTcon has to offer."
-Pat Rundell, Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People