Welcome to the Equity Showcase Cayle Chernin Fund and Awards

“We are at a frontier of new connection to our audiences, marketing and distribution. New ideas, new ways and opportunities to make it happen… and we are ready.”

— Cayle Chernin, Toronto 2005

Together, Alan Mohammed (Equity Showcase Executive and Artistic Director), Dwight McFee (Founder of the Cayle Chernin Fund), and Scott Walker CAN (Canadian Artists’ Network), are thrilled to announce that submissions are open for the 13th Equity Showcase Cayle Awards in Media Arts Production and Theatre Development.

Purpose

The Equity Showcase Cayle Awards are dedicated to seeding and nurturing the creation, development, or production of a New Work by female, female-presenting or gender non-conforming artists in Media Arts and the Theatre.

Eligibility

Early (min 5yrs), mid and late-career female, female-presenting or gender non-conforming artists to explore a project in another discipline in the Media Arts and Theatre. Applicants must be a member of a Canadian professional arts guild or union, or equivalent.

The Prize

Since its inception in 2012 The Equity Showcase Cayle Awards in Media Arts and Theatre, Production and Development, is one of the largest awards in Ontario, having provided over $200,000 in cash, goods and services to empower Women in the Performing Arts.

Media Arts Production: $9,000.00

● $2000.00 Cash Prize

● Access to a respected paid Industry Mentor up to $3,000.00 through the Canadian Artists Network (www.canartnet.ca), including $1,500 in approved expenses incurred by the artist during the mentorship

● In-kind industry support: $2,500 Certificate from W F White

Theatre Development: $6,500.00

● $2000.00 Cash Prize

● Access to a respected paid Industry Mentor up to $3,000.00, through Canadian Artists Network www.can.ca, including $1,500 in approved expenses incurred by the artist during the mentorship.

● $325 certificate for rehearsal/meeting space at TAPA’s new B Street venue

The 2024 Equity Showcase Finalists are…

The 13th Annual Equity Showcase Cayle Awards will take place on

May 7th, 2024

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

2024 Woman of the Year

Jani Lauzon

janilauzon.com

Cayle Alumni

Delve into the captivating world of Cayle Award winners and finalists, exploring their groundbreaking projects throughout the years in our compelling Cayle Alumni section.

Cayle Alumni

History and Governance

Established in 2012 to honour the life and work of actor, documentary filmmaker, writer, teacher, and mentor Cayle Chernin (1947 – 2011). Cayle Chernin’s career spanned four decades in film and on stage, developing new works and encouraging artists both emerging and veteran artists.

Cayle was a member of the board of Directors of Equity Showcase Theatre from 2008 until her passing in 2011. The Cayle Chernin Fund and Award were founded by Cayle’s husband, Dwight McFee in memory of Cayle and developed and launched by Equity Showcase Theatre and its Cayle Committee, including; Artistic Director, Kevin McCormick, Founder Dwight McFee, EST board member Genna du Plessis, David Gale, Lisa Baylin, Alexa Carroll, Alan Mohammed (Social Media and Events Director) and Jeff Saunders. The committee provides governance and direction for the fund and its activities.

ABOUT the FUND

The Cayle Fund continues to grow, raising money for the Cayle Awards, salons and educational opportunities for women. It is now one of the largest awards in Ontario, having provided nearly $200,000 in cash, goods and services to empower women in Media and Theatre Arts.

We thank our Champion Donors, Sponsors and Partners for their generous support.

Help support our cause by making a donation today and making a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.

Donate

ABOUT the AWARD

The Equity Showcase Cayle Award is dedicated to supporting the creation, development or production of a new work by female, female-presenting or gender non-conforming artists of any age for creation in Media or Theatre Arts. Specifically, the award is for an artist exploring a new discipline in media or theatre arts, for example, Actor to Director, Director to Writer, Writer to Producer etc.

The award offers a $2000 cash prize, a mentorship package provided by CSARN (Canadian Senior Artists Resource Network) of up to $ 3000 for a paid mentor and up to $ 1500 in mentee-related expenses. The total value of $6,500.

In addition, the Cayle Media Award for media production or media development offers $2500 in film equipment rental, sponsored by our partner at W.F. White, thus making the media award a value of $9000.

PARTNERS

Canadian Artists Network (CAN, Formally CSARN) provides an invaluable paid mentor to each of our Cayle winners. The past mentor list is a who's who of Canadian film and theatre, including such high-profile artists as:

Juno nominated & Gemini Award-Winning: Jani Lauzon
Award-Winning Writer, Director, Producer: Penny Eizenga
Academy Award-nominated Director: Atom Egoyan
National Society of Film Critics Award Winner: Guy Maddin

CSARN.CA

We are deeply grateful to our partner in production, William F. White who provides each Cayle Media winner, with resources, equipment and knowledge which helps to empower and position them for success.

WFW

Equity Showcase Woman of the Year

The Equity Showcase Cayle Woman of the Year acknowledges and honours a female arts leader or Artist: creative, civic, leadership or mentorship contribution to the arts.